The Toledo Area Support Group held its second fundraising benefit for HD on Saturday, October 28, 2006. We were fortunate enough to host the event at VFW Post #3013 in Holland, Ohio again this year. The Post graciously donated the use of their spacious facility! The focus of our event, inspired by Woody and Marjorie Guthrie, was to create a lively, fun, family oriented event to raise awareness of HD and to raise money for research and family services! We are quite proud that we were successful in doing both! The efforts of a large dedicated group of people in Northwest Ohio worked closely together to plan this benefit - many of whom have no affiliation with Huntington's Disease other than the desire to help with an important cause. We are truly grateful for their generosity in spirit and in action!

This year's event included a lot of activity which was expertly announced throughout the day by our Master of Ceremonies, the Honorable Timothy Wagener, the Mayor of Maumee, Ohio. Our wonderful cooks served hot sandwiches and salads along with soft drinks, coffee and beer. We had a chili five person cook-off that was a lot of fun and quite delicious. Many friends and family donated baked goods for the free-will donation bake sale. Many folks who joined us won one of dozens of door prizes that were awarded continually during the benefit.

"Happy the Clown" entertained children of all ages and many enjoyed the snow cones that were served. Over 100 items were donated for silent auction and several merchandise and 50/50 raffles were held throughout the day. Doug Upell, again, donated a whole hog to be raffled - in which we included the meat processing! We enjoyed the music of the Bobby May Band and Jimmy Forrest and Family all afternoon and evening. Then, Dirk Meyer and his energetic crew held an exciting live auction of over 70 items of beautiful merchandise!

During the afternoon, Shane Schmidt, a friend of an HD family, offered a fund-raising challenge to the crowd: "If you raise $500.00 now and I'll let you shave my head! If you raise $1000.00 you can shave it into a Mohawk haircut - and I'll keep it until Thanksgiving!" The generous folks in attendance came through and donated $1019.00! An eager group of friends shaved Shane's hair into a beautiful Mohawk - with the accompaniment of the fiddle player from Jimmy Forrest's band!

In the weeks previous to the benefit, a group of volunteers sold a large number of Home Interiors Scented Candles as a fund raiser - and presented a check of over $850.00!

The support from friends, family and the entire community was overwhelming - we estimate that nearly 400 people attended! And through the tremendous efforts of a great number of dedicated and hardworking volunteers we were able to raise a total of $12,000 for this year's benefit! Many heartfelt thanks to members of the benefit committee including: Ruth Harrison, Sherlyn Lulfs, Gloria Forrest and Lorrie Colton.

We also had a striking image of Woody Guthrie designed by Dan Wilkins of The Nth Degree in Luckey, Ohio - that was used on our advertising posters and is also available on printed t-shirts we have for sale. Kids size Large and Adult Small, Med, Large and XL are $10.00 - 2XL and 3XL are $12.00. You may order shirts by contacting Robin VanGorder at robin@purkeyins.com or 419-691-8940.