On March 4, The Legacy Center for Community Success hosted our annual fundraiser – the World’s Greatest Mardi Gras Feast – at the Great Hall Banquet & Convention Center. For 2-1/2 hours, a sold-out crowd of more than 400 people sampled culinary delights from the area’s finest restaurants and food programs. This was the most successful fundraiser we’ve hosted, and we have a lot of people to thank.

We would like to begin by extending a heartfelt thanks to Honorary Chairs Neil & Annmarie Hawkins. They took their roles seriously and were able to reach out to their friends and colleagues and introduce them to The Legacy Center.

Thank you to the Corporate Sponsors who helped boost the fundraising for this event, including Presenting Sponsors: Midland Daily News and The Dow Chemical Company; Leadership Sponsors: Chemical Bank and Dow Corning Corporation; Supporting Sponsor: Roth Cleaners; and Community Sponsors: B+B Marketing Communications, Delta College, First Merit Bank, Garber Chevrolet, Midland Cogeneration Venture, MidMichigan Health, Northwood University, QRP, Saginaw Valley State University, Wilson Law Office, P.C. and Yeo & Yeo CPAs.

Thank you to the Culinary Sponsors who provided the most amazing food, including:  Doves Chocolate Discoveries, Grand Traverse Pie Co., Great Lakes Ice Cream Co., Great Lakes Loons, Hamilton Pastries, Heather ’n Holly, LaLondes Market, Medius Terra Ristorante, Northwood University Catering by Sodexo, Peel ’n Pare, Shari at the Willard Hillton, The Gourmet Cupcake Shoppe, The H Hotel, Timbers Bistro & Bakery, and Windover High School Culinary Art Students.

Thank you to the ladies of the Zonta Club of Midland for their help with the Photo Booth and to Boy Scout Troop 768 (St. Brigid Church), who operated the coat check and donated their tips ($430) to The Legacy Center. Thank you to Roth Cleaners and Eastman Party Store for selling tickets. And thank you to Kadenza Jazz Band (Jeff Hall, Pete Simonson, David Smith and Roland Wallace) for helping us create the perfect Louisiana atmosphere.

Thank you as well to the 400+ people who braved yet another cold, winter night to attend the event.

On behalf of the board of directors, the staff and our clients, I once again thank you for your support. By all measures, our fundraiser was a complete success. The combined efforts of the individuals and organizations mentioned above pushed the event beyond $30,000. These funds will be put into our general fund, which will allow us the freedom to use the funds where they are needed most.