Foundation Raises $76,250 to Help Farmington Area Youth and Families

Retiring director Barbara Yuhas couldn't have been more pleased with her final Heart and Soul Gala. 

The non-profit's signature event raised $76,250 during the Saturday event at in Farmington Hills, $17,500 more than . Yuhas, who received a standing ovation after she spoke, said she would miss being part of the foundation and the community.

"This is a bittersweet evening for me," she said, adding her thanks to the foundation board. 

Farmington resident Walter Gajewski accepted the Riley Award for Altruism, named in honor of Dolores and George Riley, whose contributions to the community include donations that helped complete in downtown Farmington and in Farmington Hills, among many other projects.

Gajewski, and leading force in developing the in downtown Farmington, said he is "really just a steward. It's really about all eyes in the same direction, the direction we want the greater Farmington community to go ... as one community, a great community." 

Auctioneer Dan Stall presided over the bidding on 31 auction items, everything from vacations to sports and entertainment packages. Organizers removed one planned auction item, a puppy, after public opposition to the move. 

The Foundation's , which provides food for children in need in , attracted the most attention. Foundation board member Ed Cleland kicked off the bidding by announcing that an unnamed donor would match contributions up to $20,000. Hands went up all around the room as donors pledged $15,500, with bids ranging from $100 to $5,000 from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services.

Donors also raised $5,000 for the Foundation's endowment, a fund managed by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. The endowment provides the local foundation with a perpetual source of funding.

Co-chairs for the gala dinner were Doris and Bill Dwyer and Anne Lekher and Sam Slaughter.