Red Tie Ball Chairman Patrick Rugiero enjoys the ball with his children, Isabella (left) and Patrizio.
By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — The 12th annual Beaumont Health Red Tie Ball was a local affair which raised money for two Dearborn causes.
More than 300 guests filled the ballroom at the Dearborn Inn, 20301 Oakwood Blvd., May 6 to benefit the Beaumont Center for Exceptional Families and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Beaumont Hospital-Dearborn.
An overall unofficial total of $327,000 was raised with $212,000 netted total. The live auction raised $50,000, Cash for Kids raised more than $22,000 and the silent auction brought in more than $10,000.
Tickets for “The Great Gatsby” began at $275 for a single reservation to as high as $50,000 title sponsor which included 30 reserved seating.
“I got together with the event’s executive committee and we went through different event ideas before coming up with the Gatsby theme,” Event Chairman and Roman Village Restaurant Group Executive Director Patrick Rugiero said. “It was a wonderful experience to chair the event for the second time and this year was special because it was held in Dearborn.”
One of the highlights of the night, Rugiero cited, was the live auction which included a home cooked meal by his mother, Rita Rugiero.
“It was a popular item so we auctioned two meals cooked by momma Rita at $7,000,” he said. “She will go to both houses and prepare a meal for eight.”
Rugiero also said the merging of Oakwood, Beaumont and Botsford hospitals brought more attention, people and companies to the cause.
“This year brought in more people and sponsors who where able to learn the work Dearborn campus and the Center for Exceptional Families do,” Rugiero said.
At the Red Tie Ball, no detail was spared to make the event feel like the 1920s and ’30s with decorations from the Detroit Historical Society, a speakeasy room and Gatsby-themed dinner menu.
“Everyone at the Dearborn Inn worked hard to make the event special and a unique experience for attendees,” Rugiero said. “All the challenges and planning was worth it because we raised money for a great cause.”
For more information about the Beaumont Health Red Tie Ball click here.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)