Milan Foundation Raises $30,000 at Gala

The Greater Milan Area Community Foundation’s ability to “light the way” is about $30,000 brighter after Saturday’s annual gala fundraiser, held at Weber’s Inn in Ann Arbor.

The "Lighting the Way to the Future" banquet was organized by Milan City Councilman Michael Armitage and emceed by WDIV meteorologist Andrew Humphrey. According to Armitage, the event raised a record total of $30,000, after costs were deducted. He said the goal for the evening was $25,000.

The money will be used to improve the cultural, economic, educational or environmental quality of life in the Milan area.

The foundation, which is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Monroe County, has been raising funds for five years. The funds are invested. Earnings on the funds are available to local non-profit groups who need money for community initiatives. In 2010, the foundation funded programs related to Milan seniors, the Milan Area Arts Council, an afterschool fitness program at , the, the and more.

As the endowment grows, so does the ability to earn a return on the investments, and the foundation should continue to have more money for community programs.

The evening began with a mixer, as guests met with friends, enjoyed drinks and sauntered around the room inspecting items up for silent auction

From there, the group went to the main banquet room. Armitage introduced emcee Humphrey. The amiable television meteorologist got laughs from the audience when he said that he had bid on an item in the silent auction, but that he would be gracious if he was outbid, and that he promised not to send rain clouds over the winner’s home.

The group dined on a full course meal as guitarist Andi Perry plucked and strummed away. Following dinner, foundation president Chris Wetzler recognized the contributions made to the foundation by Milan residents Donald Harkness, Isabelle Schultz and Millard Phillips.

“This trio of Milan supporters thought that a foundation would be a good idea for a community and set about to make it happen. We owe these founders a deep debt of gratitude for their commitment to this cause,” said Wetzler. “We’re able to continue to reinvest in our community because they brought this concept to fruition and worked very hard to get this organization up and running.”

The gathering watched a video highlighting the foundation’s efforts over the last year. Humphrey and Gwen Hodges put the fun in fundraising, as they auctioned off Red Wings tickets, a weekend up north and other items.

Following the auction, a band plugged in and guests cut a rug on the dance floor.

Armitage said the community’s generosity made the night possible.

“It’s been fabulous. The donations for the live auction have been incredible and we have 56 donations for the silent auction, which is the most we’ve ever had,” Armitage said. “If you look over the last five years, the foundation has been able to give back $95,000 to the non-profit community, and that’s just remarkable to me.”