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Loving Lakewood: All-Stars

Name: Loving Lakewood: All-Stars
Start: 2020-02-22T19:30:00-04:00
End: 2020-02-22T23:00:00-04:00
Location: Lakewood Masonic Temple

February 22, 2020 @ 7:30 pm - 11:00 pm

LakewoodAlive’s “Loving Lakewood: All-Stars” Draws Sellout Crowd for Major League Fun

February 25, 2020

View our “Loving Lakewood: All-Stars” Photo Album

Our community swung for the fences and delivered a celebration befit of a championship-caliber city.

LakewoodAlive hosted Loving Lakewood: All-Stars sponsored by Cleveland Property Management Group on Saturday night, February 22, at the Lakewood Masonic Temple, drawing a sellout crowd of 230 jersey-clad guests to party in the name of community vibrancy. Proceeds from this sports-themed fundraising event will support LakewoodAlive’s programming as we strive to foster and sustain vibrant neighborhoods in Lakewood.

A surprise visit from members of the Lakewood High School Marching Band and Cheerleading Squad provided a highlight for Loving Lakewood: All-Stars. (Judie Vegh/OyVegh Photography)

Guests entering the Lakewood Masonic Temple’s ballroom were treated to a transformation of the historic building’s interior into a full-fledged sports arena. The lobby featured a vintage locker room and the stage sported an elaborate scoreboard with signage proclaiming “LakewoodAlive Field.” Championship banners hung from the walls displaying four pillars of LakewoodAlive’s mission – Housing Outreach, Community Events, Thriving Commercial Corridors and Vibrant Neighborhoods.

As they enjoyed sports-inspired refreshments courtesy of Karen King Catering and ice cream from Trikeable Treats, guests partook in games like pop-a-shot basketball and miniature golf. They were greeted by a surprise mini-concert from 30 members of the Lakewood High School Marching Band and Cheerleading Squad, as well as an impressive performance from volunteers Dan Folino and Erin Wereb as the “Spartan Cheerleaders” of Saturday Night Live fame. A “Kiss Cam” offered guests an opportunity for a public smooch broadcast live on a makeshift jumbo-tron.

During the program, LakewoodAlive board member Michael Bentley was honored with the 2020 Founders Award – and given a congratulatory confetti shower – for making an indelible impact on our organization. Fellow community leaders Robert Brill, Heather Rudge, Ryan Sheldon & Brittany Graham, Eric Stephens and Michael Summers were also celebrated as award honorees for their uniquely exceptional contributions to LakewoodAlive, with each recipient receiving a sports trophy.

Eric Stephens (center) was one of seven award honorees celebrated during Loving Lakewood: All-Stars. (Judie Vegh/OyVegh Photography)

The live auction saw lucky winners claim prizes ranging from sporting event tickets and a Lakewood Tool Box membership to a porch party at Rozi’s Wine House and a soap making class at STEM Handmade Soap. The “Playing by the Jewels” raffle featured a stunning necklace and wristwatch courtesy of Lion and Blue.

LakewoodAlive thanks the many volunteers who contributed to this fundraising event, especially the following members of the Loving Lakewood: All-Stars Committee for their tireless efforts: Julie Warren (chair), Michael Bentley, Mary Bond, Tim Dewald, Kelly Florian, Darren Toms, Missy Toms and Shawn Warren.

“Our amazing team of volunteers, led by Julie Warren, was instrumental in making Loving Lakewood: All-Stars a successful fundraising event for our organization,” said Allison Urbanek, LakewoodAlive’s Housing & Internal Operations Director. “From volunteers to sponsors to attendees, we really can’t say enough about the outstanding support we receive from our community.”