What was touted as the last Defiance Has Talent & Heart benefit for a charitable cause was held to a full house at the Defiance K of C Hall Sunday afternoon and evening.
For 13 years, the event — sponsored by the Trees of Life-P. Buckley Moss Society — has raised funds for a charitable cause, and this year that money will go to the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ (DCBDD) Life Skills program which teaches students and clients household tasks that promote independent living. (The DD Board operates Good Samaritan School in Defiance).
Emcee Rick Small thanked Trees of Life organization members for their work through the years and the lives they have touched “for the better.”
“... this is the final year of doing this for the Trees of Life, and again, ladies, thank you for the lives you have touched for the better and really lifting up some incredible families, individuals, organizations, a great group like Good Samaritan School,” said Small. “So, our love and thanks. It doesn’t seem like enough, but the impact you’ve had on community and the ripple effect that that’s got going for many states away is truly incredible. Our love and thank you to the Trees of Life ladies.”
This year’s event featured more than a dozen acts or entertainers with the audience determining the top ones by voting with cash donations dropped into containers bearing their names. These will benefit the Life Skills service mentioned above.
The top performer/fundraiser in that respect was Thom and Bethany Singer, who sang “The Wind Beneath My Wings.” They were followed — in order of donations raised — by Kristen (Kurivial) Hug and Veronica Steyer; Amelia Canales and Tucker Sprow (a dance routine); Dominique Stanton, who receives services from DCBDD; and Apolline Pere.
Additional performers were Shiloh Adkins and CJ Ridley, Mary Arps, Meredith Canales, Alexis (Weidenhamer) Davie, Mark Schnitkey, Randy Schroeder, Casie Sprow, six Defiance Dance Studio performers and Anthony Rodriguez, who also receives services from DCBDD.
The event also included a dinner, silent auction with many prizes and a 50/50 raffle.
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