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2018 Legacy Ball a big hit
Apr 15, 2018
Even icy roads on Saturday couldn’t stop Nicole Curtis and 265 guests from enjoying a wonderful evening at the Frankenmuth Community Foundation’s Legacy Ball.
April 15, 2018 --
Even icy roads on Saturday couldn’t stop Nicole Curtis and 265 guests from enjoying a wonderful evening at the Frankenmuth Community Foundation’s Legacy Ball.
Curtis, star of HGTV/DIY Network’s “Rehab Addict,” was the gala’s keynote speaker. Curtis made the drive from Detroit to Frankenmuth despite a horrific ice storm that prompted road closings and power outages across Michigan.
“We were so nervous the nasty weather was going to put a damper on our evening. But most of our guests still made it to the event - and what an event it was,” said Legacy Ball Committee Chair Kristi Krafft-Bellsky.
Curtis is famous in the do-it-yourself world for restoring vintage homes to their past glory. The Michigan native was a big hit among attendees. Curtis and her guest enjoyed themselves so much that they visited Prost Wine Bar & Charcuterie in downtown Frankenmuth afterward with several Legacy Ball Committee members.
The evening at Zehnder’s included a gourmet meal, entertainment by Empty Canvas, and a wide variety of live and silent auction items.
“Our local businesses donated some quality items that helped our live and silent auctions bring in some big bucks,” Krafft-Bellsky said. “Dietrich Bronner, Wayne Cormier and Bob Zehnder get an extra special thank-you for donating not one, but TWO Chef Challenge experiences that raised $10,000 for the Foundation.”
Individuals and businesses in Frankenmuth and across the Great Lakes Bay Region were extremely generous in this year’s financial support of the Legacy Ball, said Jonathan T. Webb, the Foundation’s executive director.
“We couldn’t have done it without all of our sponsors, particularly My Member Insurance Agency, Frankenmuth Insurance and Tri-Star Trust Bank,” Webb said.
The evening also included a tribute to Stephen C. List, who retired in 2017 as the Foundation’s first executive director.
Since it’s debut eight years ago, the Legacy Ball has raised more than $300,000 in operating funds for the Foundation.
Over the last 41 years, the Frankenmuth Community Foundation has distributed more than $5 million to groups and programs working to enhance the quality of life in Frankenmuth. These good works are made possible thanks to the generous donations, gifts and bequests from individuals and businesses across Frankenmuth.
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The Frankenmuth Community Foundation is excited to announce their partner organization for the 2024 Legacy Ball Dachshund Derby is the Frankenmuth City Beautification. Each year, the Foundation accepts applications from local organizations engaging in a major project who are seeking help in raising funds. Last year, the Foundation raised over $71,000 for the Frankenmuth Lions Club to complete their new patio Biergarten outside the Lion Haus in Heritage Park. In previous years, other recipients have been the Frankenmuth Historical Association for their renovation and expansion project and the Frankenmuth Visitors Center to bring the Frankenmuth Ice Rink to town. This year, the Frankenmuth Community Foundation and the Frankenmuth City Beautification are excited to collaborate on this event to benefit the Frankenmuth City Beautification Committee’s project of replacing and upgrading the iconic “Willkommen” sign on the south bank of the Cass River, near the Main Street Bridge.
The Frankenmuth Community Foundation’s Legacy Ball committee presented the check to our 2023 Legacy Ball Partner Organization, the Frankenmuth Lions Club, on Tuesday June 13th in the amount of $71,438.02. The Lions Club did an outstanding job working with the Legacy Ball Committee and will be using the funds to complete their new patio Biergarten outside the Lion Haus in Heritage Park. They will be commencing the project this summer and hope to have it complete by fall 2023. Organizations interested in being the 2024 Legacy Ball partner can get an application online at the FCF’s website: www.FrankenmuthFoundation.org . Applications will be accepted now through November 15th.
The Frankenmuth Community Foundation is excited to announce their partner organization for the 2023 Legacy Ball Dachshund Derby is the Frankenmuth Lions Club. Each year, the Foundation accepts applications from local organizations engaging in a major project who are seeking help in raising funds. Last year, the Foundation raised over $58,000 for the Frankenmuth Historical Association’s renovation and expansion project. The previous year, the Foundation raised money to help bring the Frankenmuth Ice Rink to town. This year, the Foundation will work with the 74 member Lions Club to create an outdoor “Biergarten.” This unique, German themed social gathering place will be a great area for residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty of Heritage Park and the Cass River in sun or shade, while socializing with friends, old and new. The beautifully designed feature will be located on the east side of the Lions Haus. “We are excited to work with the Frankenmuth Lions Club on this unique project,” stated Anne Webb, 2023 Legacy Ball Chairperson. “The Biergarten will be a great social gathering place, adding an authentic German feature to Heritage Park. Anytime the Lions Haus is not rented, the Biergarten will be accessible year-round for residents to use as a picnic spot or just to relax when visiting the park.” Tentative construction plans are for the patio to be installed in the summer of 2023, ready to use by Auto Fest. The trellis and final details will come in the spring of 2024. For information or to rent the Lions Haus for your next gathering, please contact FrankenmuthLions@gmail.com. Legacy Ball Dachshund Derby committee members who will be working with the Frankenmuth Lions Club on this year’s event include Chairperson Anne Webb, FCF Board member Bethany Burnett, Legacy Ball founder Victoria DeGrace, with Wayne Cormier, Dave Bellsky, Kristi KrafftBellsky, Trisha Way, John Daugharty, Danielle Daugharty, Melissa Rau and FCF staff members Jonathan Webb and Ashley Hopp. The 2023 event will be held at Bavarian Inn Restaurant on April 29th. Sponsorship packets have been mailed to local businesses.