(Chelsea Update would like to thank Joe Yekulis for the information in this story and Kelly Flaherty for the photos in the slideshow.)
For 29 years, the folks at St. Joseph Mercy-Chelsea (formerly Chelsea Community Hospital), have shown their community support for St. Louis Center by hosting a Fall Dinner Auction to help raise funds to support the residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities who call SLC their home.
And for 29 years, the Chelsea community has turned out in full force to show their love for this special non-profit organization. This year’s event was held on Saturday, Nov. 12, and the theme was, “Our Family Caring for Yours.”
Featuring renowned Saline auctioneer Jerry Helmer of Braun and Helmer Auction Service, this year’s live auction produced many interesting and unusual items, including an Azamara Cruise for any of their 2017 worldwide voyages, an Indian Dinner for eight prepared by Fr. Satheesh Alphonse, SdC., an Italian Dinner for six prepared by Fr. William J. Turner of St. Mary Parish, a one week stay at a home in Sicily near the Mediterranean Sea, and a “Day of Sailing” adventure on Lake Huron on the yacht “Blitz.”
Many more fine items were donated this year by local merchants, and according to Auction Chair Kathi Neuman, “It was another successful event, and we were very close to last year’s record-breaking amount. Once again, we thank CEO Nancy Graebner and the wonderful staff of St. Joseph Mercy-Chelsea for all of their help and support, along with our great community of St. Louis Center supporters who continue to support our efforts with all of their hearts.”
Kenneth Unterbrink, state deputy of the Michigan Knights of Columbus, presented a $25,000 check to Fr. Enzo Addari, SdC. to assist with the replacement of an aging boiler, and former Chelsea Hospital CEO Will Johnson introduced his new book, “Musings and Memories,” a collection of vignettes woven together to tell his life story. Johnson will be donating these books as a fundraiser for St. Louis Center.
For more information about St. Louis Center, visit www.stlouiscenter.org or call 734-475-8430.
