Past Events

In 2003, MIRA was again hard at work, hosting several fund-raising events.  We started out with a Spring Gala Awards party at the lovely home of Patrick and Susan Bommarito.  With delicious food donated by Carrabba's Italian Grill, a wonderful selection of wines donated by Diageo Chateau & Estates, and the generosity of ESI Solutions and Moceri Development Co, this Spring party was a rousing success.  Patrick Mason was also honored with the MIRA Image Award.

Following the Spring Gala, we headed to Frankenmuth for another fund-raiser & friend raiser!  Our 2003 Marion Zehnder Memorial Golf Outing.  The 120 golfers that attended had a great time - Zehnder's provided the food and fabulous staff and it's hard to say who had more fun - our wonderful group of volunteers or our golfers!  We are especially thankful to the Zehnder family for their continued support of our outing - and for all of you golfers.

June 25th, found us participating in a Symposium, honoring our late and beloved Dr. David J. Olen.  The topic of the Symposium was "Treating the Aging Brain", and featured guest speakers -  Rodrigo Kuljis, MD, from University of Miami School of Medicine; Dr. C. Edward Coffey, from Behavioral Health Services & Henry Ford Health System; and Dr. John F. Delaney, from Temple University.  The Symposium was a great success and plans are underway for the second in the series, with U of M Depression Center and MIRA co-sponsoring a program in the fall of 2004. 

In August, MIRA was invited to participate in a Lobster Bake with the Fox & Hounds in Bloomfield.  Jackie & Kevin Downey very generously offered to donate a portion of the proceeds from their first annual Lobster Bake - which took place the weekend of the Dream Cruise.  With a Doo-Wop band playing, the Lobster's boiling and the Cruise in full swing (in spite of the major power outage), all who attended had a wonderful time!  Special thanks to the Downey's and the Fox & Hounds for their generosity!

September brought around our 11th Annual Gold Key Event, held at the Centerpoint Marriott in Pontiac.  With L. Brooks Patterson serving as our MC for the evening, and the entertaining talents of Jazz Saxophonist, Randy Scott, the vocals of a young singing trio called Adelphe` and our own local TV celebrity, Rich Fisher, the evening was a festive time to be sure.  Along with the proceeds from our silent auction and the support of our friends, MIRA was again the recipients of your generosity.

September also brought "MIRA Benefit Nights" in the form of an Oktoberfest, which were held at Big Bucks Brewery in Auburn Hills,  raising funds for brain research. We thank the team at Big Bucks for donating a percentage of the profits to MIRA!

In November of 2003, a concert was sponsored by Mary Dittrich of Dittrich Olds-GMC, featuring the singing talents of Irish Tenor, John McDermott. Over 500 people enjoyed his return performance and gave him a standing ovation.  Following the concert, John joined several of our benefactors at a VIP "Afterglow Party" at the Centerpoint Marriott, where he graciously posed for pictures and signed autographs.  Very special thanks goes to Mary Dittrich, Ed Rogin and the committee who worked so hard to bring us this special fundraising event.

Our year ended up on a bright note with our annual Corvette Raffle, sponsored by Jeff Cauley of Cauley Chevrolet in West Bloomfield.  The shiny bright red  2004 Corvette was won by a retired teacher from Waterford Michigan - who was currently driving a vehicle that was 17 years old!  Thank you to all of you who help us make this raffle one of MIRA's premier fund-raising events.