(Chelsea Update would like to thank Joe Yekulis for the information in this story and Kelly Flaherty for the slide show.)
The big hitters who came out to show their support for St. Louis Center at Paesano’s in Ann Arbor on Sept. 13 and at U-M Golf Course on Monday Sept.14 were more than just the folks who showed up with golf clubs in their hands.
Renowned sports broadcaster George Blaha of the Detroit Pistons/MSU Football, State Rep. Julie Alexander (R – Hanover) and Congressman Tim Walberg (R-Tipton) were also on hand to show their support for the children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who call St. Louis Center their home. Blaha attended both events, Alexander attended the dinner with her husband Jeff, and Walberg stopped for a visit at UM Golf Course on his way back to Washington D.C. from his home in Lenawee County.
In this unusual year of the pandemic, these two events, originally scheduled for the end of June, had to be rescheduled for mid-September. So 52 people turned out for a $100 a plate dinner honoring three young Servants of Charity priests from India, while 104 golfers representing 26 teams, teed-off from the first hole at UM Golf Course from 8:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. to enjoy a beautiful day of fall golf.
The dinner honored Fr. Amalornathan, Fr. Franklin Michael, and Fr. Leo Joseph who are members of the Servants of Charity and have been here for four years while devoting their lives to caring for people with I/DD. The first two are assigned to St. Louis Center, while Fr. Leo is the director of the Pious Union of St. Joseph in Grass Lake. Development Director Christina Ferris was the MC and coordinator of the dinner event.
A portion of the proceeds from the Paesano’s dinner were donated back to SLC by owners Mike and Bridget Roddy, while Corporate Sponsors for the Golf & Glory Outing included Platinum Sponsors A.Z. Shmina, Inc. and Chelsea Milling Company – Jiffy Mix. Gold sponsors were J.F. Dunn Enterprises, Inc., Ron and Rosie Emrick, and the State Council of the MI Knights of Columbus. Silver Sponsors were Golling Chrysler-DJR of Chelsea along with St. Joseph Mercy-Chelsea, Weingartz Supply, Founder Bill Wagner and the Manresa Caravan of Alhambra. Many other members of the business community donated $500 for hole-sponsorships and $250 for tee sponsorships. State Deputy Walter Winkle of the MI Knights of Columbus also presented Fr. Enzo Addari with a $25,000 check for one of the four new Children’s Homes in St. Louis Guanella Village.
According to Fr. Enzo Addari, CEO of St. Louis Center, “We are grateful to the many people who came out to support us with their prayers and their donations during these two events. Fundraising has been difficult this year as a result of the pandemic, and we couldn’t be happier with this year’s turnout for both events. These events were very financially rewarding for St. Louis Center.”
St. Louis Center is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year. Please visit www.stlouiscenter.org for more information or to make a donation.
