Photos and story by Monty Siekerman
The annual dinner and auction to support Community Health Professionals hospice care raised about $6,000. The event was held on Thursday evening in McIntosh Center ballroom.

MORE PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF STORY -

All manner of goods were auctioned, including a golf package (replete with an umbrella), a Lions Club scoop of mulch, stays at The Inn and other hotels, and much more.

Deb starts pounding the pavement throughout northwest Ohio at the beginning of the year to come up with fantastic packages for people to bid on.

About 100 people attended the gala evening, which included a buffet, music, silent auction and raffle. Farthing Auctioneer's Team of Findlay handed the live auction.

Entertainment was provided by two young, accomplished vocalists: May Coppler, 13, of Fostoria, who sang a piece from "Phantom of the Opera" and music from an Italian opera, and Haley Crouse, an Ada grad now an OSU Lima student, who sang "Hallelujah."

Claudia Crawford, RN, nursing supervisor, was recognized, for 42 years of service to CHP.

The family of Bernadine Ackerman and the family of Rodney Hollon were honored with a lighthouse presentation. The lighthouse signifies each individual's life and hope that hospice brings.

Deb points out that the Beacon of Hope dinner and auction is an evening of fun and remembrance to raise funds for the CHP hospice program.

PHOTOS

•  Deb Curlis, fundraising coordinator for CHP, holding the youngest attendee, one-month-old Emma Grace, daughter of Josh and Lisha Wilkerson. The baby's mom is an RN for CHP.

• Claire Vaubel offered four English Royal Dalton Tobby mugs to be auctioned. The mugs, from 1950 or before, featured Shakespeare characters or British political figures.

• Vocalists were May Coppler (left) and Haley Crouse.

• Volunteers JoNell Hanratty (left) and Connie Guyton assist Les Bartley with raffle tickets.