By Holly Walker
Laughter and music filled the air, as partygoers excitedly circled tables, jotting down their bids for artwork, gift baskets, jewelry, delicious meals, fun outings, and more. Enticed by the mouth-watering scents that wafted through the air, others moved to the buffet line, eager for the chance to taste a number of treats. Old friends greeted one another, new friends were made, and warm conversations enveloped the room, as some took the dance floor and swayed to the sounds of Joe LaLuna. By 8:00 p.m., people crowded around their tables, paddles in hand, eager for a chance at winning magnificent trips, tours through history, gourmet food, and more. This was scene as Manakin Episcopal Church’s 11th Annual Reach for the Stars Gala and Auction unfolded on September 29.
This annual event supports Manakin’s Outreach program, allowing it to support organizations such as Boys Home of Virginia, CARITAS, Families of the Wounded, Habitat for Humanity, Powhatan Free Clinic, Family Lifeline, and feeding programs, just to name a few.
Thanks to the generosity of this year’s donors, sponsors, and attendees, the 2018 Reach for the Stars Gala and Auction raised over $30,000, a record amount for this annual event! This brings the total raised over the last eleven years of the gala to more than $196,000!
We want to recognize all the donors and sponsors who helped make this year’s event such a success. They include:
Allure Day Spa
American Family Fitness
Amy Chaplin
Andy Bahen, Servpro of Chesterfield
Ash Chamberlain
Avis & Rusty Gates
Awful Arthur’s
Bay Creek Resort and Club
Becky & Bob Aldred
Bell Greek
Beth Christiano, Front Porch Cakes and Eatery
Betsy Moore
Betsy & Mike Chester
Bev & Don Whitley
Birdie and Jeff Lighthiser
Bob Pinkham
Bonchon Chicken, Manager
Boomerang Air Sports
Brian Bumbalo, The Desserterie
Brio Tuscan Grille
Bryan Godfrey
Bryan Lesniewicz , Managing Partner, Bonefish Grill
Bryn & Paul Davis
Burger Bach
Buzz Paulette
Caroline Gilpin
Carreras Jewelers
Cava
Cerro Azul
Chadwick and Son Orchids
Chris Houlihan, Haunts of Richmond
Chuck Catlett
Cliff Bruce, Cliff Bruce Studio
Cofer Insurance & Financial Solutions, Inc
Colleen Moore, Owner, Merle Norman
Crab Louie’s
Craig Akers
Craig Via, Craig Via Realty and Relocation
D. Floyd, Dances with Wool
Dale Parker
David Hill, Cinebistro
Dean Allen, Maggiano’s
Deb & Mike Solimando
Destiny Moore, Local Store Marketer for Papa John’s
Dominion Arts Center
Dr. Don Marsh
Dr. Edward D Gardner, D.D.S.
Draper Aden Associates
Edward Sontag, Owner, WoodCraft of Richmond
Ellie Gibbs, Circulation & Event Assistant, Richmond Magazine
Ernie Rogers, Blacktie Benefit Auctions
Firebirds
Firestone
Funny Bones Comedy Club
Gabby Corcoran, Richmond Ice Zone
Garth Newel Music Center
Gary Allen, Owner, Allen Tire Inc.
Gene McAuliffe, Cross Creek Nursery and Florist
General Manager, O’Charley’s
Julia & George Eliades
Gini and Phil DiStanislao
Glory Days Grill
Glow Golf
Graham Stultz, Rappahannock
Great Harvest Bakery
Halsey Dillard
Haselman & Hunt Family Dentistry
Holiday Barn Pet Resorts
Holly & Michael Walker
It’s Chic Again! Consignment
Izzie’s…Consigning with Grace
Jade Nails
James S McCool, McCool’s of Bon Air
Janine Sears, Virginia Repertory Theatre
Jean Hillsman
Jeanne Hughes
Jeremy Glover, Subscription Sale Manager, Richmond Times Dispatch
Jill Johnson
Joe LaLuna, “Joe Sings Sinatra”
John-Lawrence Smith, Publisher; Kendra Denton, Circulation Manager; Virginia Living Magazine
Jonathan J. Knizatko, Latitude Seafood Co.
Kate Meadows, Support Manager, Great Big Greenhouse
Kay Hansell
Kelly Thompson, Toast
Kim Reynolds, Charlotte Division, Manager of Media and Community Relations; Publix Supermarkets, Inc
Kindred Spirits
Kristle L. Mikkola, Membership Director, Science Museum of Virginia Foundation
Kyle Kennen, Texas Roadhouse
Laser Quest
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Linda & Brook Doggett
Linda & Chuck Catlett
Linda Harris
Linda Phillips
Louanne Carnwath
Lynn Shepley
Martha and Tom Steger
Mellow Mushroom
Men of the Church, Manakin Episcopal Church
Michael Moore, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Michael Sheffield, Captain
Midlothian Apothecary, Janet & Everette Darby
Mike Hatch, General Manager, Birkdale Country Club and Brandermill Country Club
Mike Holt, Salisbury Country Club
Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia
Nancy & Tom Dawson
Nicole Sebetic, Accounts Receivable, ACAC
Pat & Larry Rock
Pat @ Wegmans Customer Service
Pat Firth, Revita Bella
Pat & Rhett duPont
Paul Kincaid, Can Can
Penelope
Richmond Ballet
Richmond Flying Squirrels, The Diamond
Rob Mercurio, Rare Old Times
Robbie and Chandler Williams
Robin & Earl Jackson
Robin Sorenson, Ruth’s Chris
Sarah Koerner, American Shakespeare Center, Blackfriars Playhouse
Sharon & Dennis LaLiberte
Signature At West Neck Golf Club
Smallcakes
Stephany Breed
Strum Group Long & Foster Real Estate
Sue & Bill Daniels
Susann Shelton, Evolutions Salon
Susie Stone
Sweet Frogs
Sycamore Jewelers, Joe Cheslock and Terry Sprankle
Tazikis Restaurants
Ten Thousand Villages
Terri Johnson, Assistant GM, River City Diner
The Richmond Symphony, Aaron Frisbie
Tina and Hank Schepker
Tom & Terry Hood
Tom Steger
Tony Coleman, Tinker and Co.
Virginia Beach National Golf Club
Virginia Wayside
Vivian Bagby
W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr.
Wild Birds Unlimited
Wilson Lee Interiors and Boutique
Women of the Church