Over 230 attendees were greeted by the complimentary valet service escorted by umbrellaed attendees into the reception area of the GM Heritage Center on the evening of June 20, 2017 for the CARE for a Taste 40th Anniversary Celebration.
The room was filled with the warm smiles and various splendid food and drink displayed and offered by 24 various restaurants, caterers, and banquet halls, enticing guests to partake in everything from fresh salads and gourmet cheeses to decadent and healthy desert options.
A basket raffle gave guests more options to dream and win big with cornucopias of themed items for luxury days, children, and sports fans.
Executives from Macomb County, Mark Hackel, Kathy Bartz, and Pamela Lavers were in attendance, along with state representatives Patrick Green, Steve Bieda, and several foundation and hospital leaders and CARE supporters. Presenting sponsors were Eric J. Smith, Macomb County Prosecutor and St. John Providence.
But the highlight of the evening was acknowledging and honoring the 13 awardees, and sharing the future developments of the organization. Metro-Detroit’s own news anchor and political analyst Christy McDonald of WTVS weekly news show, MiWeek, emceed the evenings presentation. Side by side with President and CEO of CARE of Southeastern Michigan, Monique Stanton, announced CARE’s 2017 Campaign #40years40impacts, with a video production that preluded the awards. Stanton’s candid addition of her own journey that is the core of her passion for the foundation weaved its way from the video into her speech and touched the hearts of the each person in the audience.
The 13 Honoree Recognition Awards were presented to Congressman Sander Levin, Macomb County Prosecutor, Eric J. Smith, Families Against Narcotics, Macomb County, Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority, and Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, Macomb County Community Mental Health Office of Substance Abuse, the Marshall Mather’s Foundation, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department, St. John Providence Hospital, Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation, and the United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
CARE’s Development Director, Mari Jackson, states, “The evening was a huge success and exceeded our expectations. We are unsure if it will be an annual event but we will be discussing it today.” “Whether or not we continue to feature CARE for a Taste as an annual event, is yet to be determined!”
CARE’s next event, Ride 4 Recovery, takes place on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at Lake St. Clair Metropark. Click here for more information and to register.
A list of the supporting food companies for CARE For A Taste is below. We encourage your support as they have supported CARE of Southeast Michigan:
Andiamo’s, Bobcat Bonnie’s, Famous Daves Bar-B-Que, Granite City Food & Brewery, Holiday Market, Johnny Black’s Public House, Kona Gill, Leo’s Coney Island, Penne Lane, Premier Events Center, Red Crown, Red Velvet Cakes & Pastries, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Shield’s Pizza of Macomb, SideStreet Diner, Sweet Little Sheila’s Pastry Shop, The Clean Plate, The Melting Pot, Tropical Smoothie Cafe of St. Clair Shores, Twisted Rooster, Zoyo Frozen Yogurt of Troy, Zuccaro Banquets & Catering
and CARE Supporters PNC Bank, Macomb County, Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Michigan, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Dream Real Photo & Video, and Greening Detroit. com
To learn more about CARE of Southeast Michigan, its mission and programs, please visit https://www.careofsem.com
Cathleen Francois is Executive Director of GreeningDetroit.com, a CARE of Southeast Michigan Advocate, and once in a while likes to share a story or two about local hero’s. She can be reached at Cathleen@GreeningDetroit.com or at 248-818-4252