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Easterseals Happiness House empowers community at annual luncheon

The 2020 Abilities Shining Luncheon was held March 4 at Michael's On East.


  • By Harry Sayer
  • | 7:45 p.m. March 4, 2020
  • Black Tie
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Easterseals Happiness House put on a lively and heartwarming function with its annual Abilities Shining luncheon March 4 at Michael's On East.

The annual event had more than 300 guests mingling in the atrium and engaging in fun activities including taking pictures at the photo booth, checking out student-created art pieces and more. The reception also had a silent auction. 

Attendees then moved to the ballroom for dinner and a program, which started with three Easterseals children welcoming the audience and giving the event's co-chairs rose bouquets. They were followed by a music and dance performance by Easterseal clients and Dynasty Dance. The luncheon — which raised over $300,000 — benefited Easterseals' programs for people with disabilities. 

Co-Chairwomen Sydney Gruters, Kathy Paulsen, Donna Koffman, CEO Tom Waters, Honoree Ginger Judge, and Co-Chairwoman Trudy Moon
Co-Chairwomen Sydney Gruters, Kathy Paulsen, Donna Koffman, CEO Tom Waters, Honoree Ginger Judge, and Co-Chairwoman Trudy Moon
The luncheon had more than 300 guests.
The luncheon had more than 300 guests.
Beth Roth, Karen Nuckols, Cynthia Smith, Nancy Stapleton and Kathy co-Chairwoman Paulson
Beth Roth, Karen Nuckols, Cynthia Smith, Nancy Stapleton and Kathy co-Chairwoman Paulson
Honorary chairwoman Terri Klauber and Nikki Taylor
Honorary chairwoman Terri Klauber and Nikki Taylor
Student-created artwork was up for purchase
Student-created artwork was up for purchase
Caitlyn the yellow lab
Caitlyn the yellow lab
Lacey Lavallee and Amy Kohlman
Lacey Lavallee and Amy Kohlman
Roseanne Frano and Renee Armbruster
Roseanne Frano and Renee Armbruster
Patty Furlow
Patty Furlow
Daila Lybarger, Jordan Jones and Charlotte Duval
Daila Lybarger, Jordan Jones and Charlotte Duval
Cody, Trevor, Kirsten and Isaac Brady
Cody, Trevor, Kirsten and Isaac Brady
Becky Forest and Alison Thomas
Becky Forest and Alison Thomas
Shannon Ciaravella, Inna Snyder and Linda Krysinski
Shannon Ciaravella, Inna Snyder and Linda Krysinski
Mary Beth Bos, Ken Slavin and Diana de Veer
Mary Beth Bos, Ken Slavin and Diana de Veer
David and Jenn Otterness
David and Jenn Otterness
Pavitra Ciavardone, Gray Videnka, Chance and Debbie Horvath and CEO Tom Waters
Pavitra Ciavardone, Gray Videnka, Chance and Debbie Horvath and CEO Tom Waters
Renee Phinney and Lori Moran
Renee Phinney and Lori Moran
Andria Bilan and Dom DiMaio
Andria Bilan and Dom DiMaio
Poonam Maini and Brian Mariash
Poonam Maini and Brian Mariash
Angelica Hull and Melissa Walsh
Angelica Hull and Melissa Walsh
Wendy Deming and Jennifer Rominiecki
Wendy Deming and Jennifer Rominiecki
Doug Elmore, Paul Hudson and Jay Miller
Doug Elmore, Paul Hudson and Jay Miller
Shelley Glenn and Ali Miller
Shelley Glenn and Ali Miller
Co-chairman Jason Hughes with Stacey and David Crawford
Co-chairman Jason Hughes with Stacey and David Crawford
Sherry and Tom Koski with honorary chairwoman Terri Klauber and Gray VIdenka
Sherry and Tom Koski with honorary chairwoman Terri Klauber and Gray VIdenka
Beth Knopik and Pavitra Ciavardone
Beth Knopik and Pavitra Ciavardone
Kirstin Fulkerson and Veronica Thames
Kirstin Fulkerson and Veronica Thames
Easterseals students welcomed CEO Tom Waters
Easterseals students welcomed CEO Tom Waters

 

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