March 10, 2004
Generous tips benefit Michael's Place
Tips for Kids raises more than $16,000 for center that supports children dealing with grief
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
How much would you pay for a soothing hand massage? A puppet show? The chance to see a local chiropractor dance on the floor?
The price didn't matter to attendees at the Tips for Kids event Monday because the results were priceless. Held at Dill's Olde Towne Saloon, the event raised approximately $16,000 for Michael's Place, a program supporting children and families that have lost a loved one. More than 350 diners attended Tips for Kids, with 18 volunteers offering services or entertainment to the two seatings.
Brothers Jeff and Vern Gauthier flexed their muscles and lured diners into betting on their physical prowess. The owners of Fit For You solicited bets on the number of reps Vern could do and the number of seconds Jeff could hold pounds at arms length. Dr. Dan Robinson, a local chiropractor, wowed diners with his creative movements, including an on-the-floor caterpillar move.
"You have to have a very flexible spine to do this," said Robinson, who learned of the event through the Kiwanis Club. "I like to volunteer and help out."
Joyce Davis, a puppeteer from Toledo and the mother of Michael's Place executive director Mindy Buell, entertained with her small friends. The father-son act of Wayne and Ben Mueller played the harmonica, with Ben, almost 3, amazing the crowd with his prowess.
The event's first seating was geared to family's with young children and also featured face painting and fingerprinting services for children. The second seating drew older families and groups, who filled the restaurant and were quick to whip out their wallets.
"It's just a way to help out Michael's Place," said Don Schmuckal, a juggler for the evening. "I did it last year and it was fun."
Dill's owner Barry Boone turned his whole restaurant over to Monday night's fund-raiser; he also donated $2 from every meal to the cause. Patrons could give passing entertainers either cash outright or run a tab on vouchers, paying once at the end of the night.
"They are all so easy to work with here and Barry is wonderful," Buell said.
Last year's Tips for Kids raised just over $10,000. In both years, the funds raised apply directly to the operating budget. A private organization that began two years ago, Michael's Place is funded by donations, grants and fund-raisers such as Tips for Kids.
"I just think they do a wonderful job and I want to do what I can to help," said Pat Heintz, a local attorney who also served as emcee for the evening.
Michael's Place began in October 2001 and since then has worked with more than 70 individuals directly and over 450 people indirectly. Meeting every Monday evening at Immaculate Conception Elementary School, the organization has served more than 3,400 dinners at their support group meetings. In addition, volunteers have logged 4,300 hours during the Monday night support groups.
Chris Dennos founded the organization to give families a safe and supportive environment place to fully grieve a loss. Dennos lost her cousin, Michael Dendrinos, in 1971 when he was 14. She realized then that the culture did not have rituals or outlets for the powerful emotions associated with grief. Dennos was especially concerned about children experiencing grief and made that the main focus of Michael's Place.
Individuals or families determine how long they attend support group meetings at Michael's Place. Sometimes a person or family will attend for months, take a break, and come back; other times someone will just come a few times or attend steadily for more than a year.
"The length of stay varies, what we're usually seeing is about a year," Buell said.