The Cleveland Rotary Foundation held its “Growing for the Greater Good: A Taste of Kindness” fundraiser on September 21 at St. Sava Pavilion in Broadview Heights. The event raised funds for the organization’s humanitarian programs while showcasing culinary talent from across the Cleveland area.
The fundraiser featured six local chefs who prepared signature dishes for attendees throughout the evening. Brad Gambrell, executive chef at Beechmont Country Club and coordinator of local chef participation, served petite Canadian lobster tail with tarragon-parsnip gnocchi and sherry lobster sauce. Ryan Kaston from Smoke This Craft Pit BBQ & Catering offered smoked pork frittella with Italian-style potato pancake, blackberry apple moustarda and wild onion.
Demond Germany, chef and owner of Scratch Steakhouse and Lounge and Lighthouse Bistro, prepared lumberjack short ribs with mushrooms over mashed Yukon potatoes and parsnips. Vishwatej Nath, executive chef at Delaware North who oversees culinary operations at Progressive Field for the Cleveland Guardians, contributed paneer tikka masala with fragrant basmati rice, scallion cilantro mint chutney and crunchy onion.
Britt-Marie Horrocks, chef and culinary program manager at Rainey Institute, provided chocolate espresso pumpkin trifle, while Riley Moodry, owner and pastry chef at Riley Cakes Small Batch Bakery, offered mixed berry mascarpone cake cups. Beer and wine for the event were provided by Minotti’s Wine & Spirits in Fairview.
The September 21 event ran from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the St. Sava Pavilion on West Wallings Road in Broadview Heights. The evening included registration and a silent auction starting at 4 p.m., chef food stations opening from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m., and a live auction beginning at 6:15 p.m. Entertainment was provided by the band Tonic Boom.
The event’s planning committee included Laura Gambrell, current president of the Cleveland Rotary Club, along with Beverly Ghent-Skrzynski, Jessica Hanes, Dave Humphrey, Tina Ingraham, Amy Johnston, Jennifer Kelly, Sharon Lerch, Rick Ritley and Ed Thomas. Special recognition went to Ed Thomas for serving as silent auction chair, Mike Berland as auctioneer, Tina Ingraham for marketing and design assistance, and Brandon Lerch and Jess LaLonde as bartenders.
Major sponsors included Arch C. Klumph Corporate Benefactors at the $1,500 level and Paul Harris Legacy Society Sponsors at the $1,000 level. The Arch C. Klumph sponsors included Julia R. and Ben Brouhard, David Browning and Howard Lichtig CBRE, Jessica Hanes and Tina Ingraham, Karen D. Melton, Ohio Desk, The BCJC Group of RW Baird, Sarah and Josh Rintamaki, and H.W. Birkett Gibson and Gloria K. Ritter.
Paul Harris Legacy Society sponsors were Rick and Allison Ritley, Ed and Cathy Thomas, Neal and Cathy Klabunde, and Richard Greiner.
Proceeds from the fundraiser support the Cleveland Rotary Foundation’s humanitarian programs in four categories: Community Service, International Service, Vocational Service and Youth Service. According to foundation materials, the organization has operated under the motto “Service Above Self” for 114 years. https://www.rotaryclubofcleveland.com/
Recent foundation initiatives include providing resources to build a classroom block for 180 students in a remote area of Central Dedza District in Malawi, honoring top students from 28 high schools in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and supporting mentoring programs for local students.
The foundation also backed the Red Line Greenway project, which created a performance plaza with bike racks, natural hillside seating, an American flag and a Rotary peace pole along the two-mile linear trail connecting eight neighborhoods.
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