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Take Flight with YC! Annual Benefit & Auction Highlights

Take Flight with YC! Annual Benefit & Auction Highlights

Take Flight with YC! Annual Benefit & Auction was a successful trip, with over $220,00 raised by our generous sponsors and attendees to support the YC mission.  

Our flight took off on May 4 at the Aviator Event Center, where guests enjoyed stunning views of the planes and NASA Glen Research Center. Our benefit guests had the opportunity to travel the world in one evening, with cuisine from Italy, Mexico, and Asia. Members from award-winning local band Apostle Jones provided musical entertainment. 

Our fund-a-need program was engaging and heartfelt, and showcased the true value of YC’s accessible transportation. YC CEO Chris Garr and Board of Trustees President Greer Gibbons, dressed as pilots, emceed the presentation.  Fun videos showed participants traveling to Youth Challenge using other modes of transportation, such as kayaking, bicycling, and riding a spaceship to try to get to programs. Nothing worked until the YC drivers came to the rescue Top Gun style! Participant mom Shannon Smoot spoke about the connection her son James made with driver Bruce Giberson, and how van rides to YC became his safe place. The fund-a-need program raised $25,000.

Our silent auction raised over $60,000! Our bidders boarded the bidding plane, eyeing fabulous prizes like sports memorabilia, vacation packages ready for takeoff, and dining experiences to satisfy their inflight cravings. 

And let’s not forget the $10,000 Cash Raffle and Chance Raffle! Congratulations to our lucky winners, Joe Sullivan and Danielle Henderson who won the Cash Raffle, and Katy Woodbridge and Sarah Harbottle who won the Chance Raffle. 

Overall, we’re thrilled with the success of this year’s event, and we’re excited to continue our mission of providing adapted sports and recreation programs to young people with physical disabilities and teen volunteers in Northeast Ohio. Thanks again to everyone who helped us fly away on this fun journey!  

PLATINUM PLUS SPONSOR 

  • First Federal Lakewood 
  • Oatey 

PLATINUM 

  • BakerHostetler 
  • National Safety Apparel 
  • Reese Pharmaceutical 

GOLD 

  • Deloitte 
  • The Kalt Manufacturing Company 
  • Stacy & Steve Nock 
  • Nock & Son Company 
  • Nordson 
  • Sherwin Williams 

SILVER 

  • The Coticchia Family 
  • Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities 
  • The Hardesty-Applegate Family 
  • Mike’s Kids 
  • Nelson Mullins 
  • School of Rock Cleveland 
  • Smart Business 
  • Total Benefits Advisors-Mark & Lisa Breen 
  • Tucker Ellis LLP 

ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR 

  • Community West Foundation 

BAR SPONSOR 

  • Westpoint Wealth Management 

TECHNOLOGY SPONSOR 

  • OneLink Technical Services 

TRANSPORTATION SPONSOR 

  • Brunswick Automart 

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