Join us on Saturday, January 19 at 9:00 a.m., as we take part in an international hunger relief effort – Rise Against Hunger. On that day, the Manakin community will spend a few fun-filled hours working side-by-side to package more than 30,000 meals. This is Manakin’s ninth annual meal-packing event with Rise Against Hunger. All are invited to participate, so bring your family and friends! There are tasks available for ages 6 and up! If you’d like to participate, we ask that you register at http://events.stophungernow.org/MEC by no later than Monday, January 14. If you have any questions, please contact our church office at 804-794-6401.

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 11^th 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

You are invited to an evening of festivities, as Manakin Episcopal Church hosts its 11^th Annual Reach for the Stars Auction and Gala on Saturday, September 29. Reach for the Stars is an evening packed with fun, delicious food, warm fellowship, music, and spirited bidding, as a wide variety of items are auctioned to raise money for the church’s outreach programs.

The silent and live auctions will feature vacations, jewelry, art, dining opportunities, and much more. Proceeds from the event will support a variety of organizations in our area. Over the past 10 years, Reach for the Stars has helped Manakin raise more than $165,000 for organizations such as the Powhatan Free Clinic, Family Lifeline, Boys Home, Madeline’s House, CARITAS, Families of the Wounded, Habitat for Humanity, and local feeding programs.

Join us for this wonderful event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Salisbury Country Club. Tickets are $50 each and include event entry, food and three adult beverages. To purchase tickets, contact the church office at 804-794-4601.