OHuddle hosts seventh annual Golden Circle Gala
OHuddle hosted its seventh annual Golden Circle Gala on Feb. 22.
OHuddle hosted its seventh annual Golden Circle Gala on Saturday, Feb. 22 at The Connections Conference and Event Center in Wooster. Two-hundred-fifty people attended the evening highlighting the celebrations and new initiatives of the organization.
The evening program was hosted by OHuddle board member Matt Beres and Executive Director Sara Reith. They guided the evening program while sharing their own experiences with mentorship, highlighting the events and relationships OHuddle has created over the past 11 years.
The theme for this year’s gala was the “Art of Mentorship.” Reith shared about an AR mural being hung in the arts district in downtown Wooster. She shared the vision for this mural and introduced the three students who will be on the mural and their impact with OHuddle.
As the largest one-to-one mentorship program in a single county in the state of Ohio, OHuddle serves more than 714 students weekly. The event program featured impact stories from mentees and their mentors, along with where the financial dollars are making an impact.
GROHuddle, a program matching high school upperclassmen with elementary mentees, was made possible by the Fritz Kohmann Foundation.
A keynote speech was made by Dr. Jonathan Juravich, an elementary art teacher named the 2023 National Elementary Art Teacher of the Year by the National Art Education Association. Juravich gave a talk about the art of seeing others and gave an interactive art lesson in drawing people to engage the audience.
A presentation of Presidential Volunteer Service Awards was given to honor those who have achieved 500 hours or more of service to OHuddle. The individuals who were recognized included Leslie Bertschy, Tom Hiller, Mary Jicha, Adam Kusicki, Lynn Mackey, Marilyn Peacock, Ed Sims, David Rittgers, Cheryl Kirkbride and Galen Moomaw. They were given a certificate and medal for their service.
OHuddle recognized two OHuddle Heroes who have supported the organization over the years without fail: Amy Crosland and Mike Jarrett.
The evening concluded with a call to action for sponsorship of a mentee for the year or being able to purchase artwork created by OHuddle mentees. OHuddle is grateful for the individuals and businesses that continue to support the cause of mentorship and the organization.
It gave thanks to its sponsors: Jarrett Logistics, Walnut Creek Foods, Fritz Kohmann Foundation, Crossbridge, Miss Amy’s Bakery, Upward Bound Youth, Keim Lumber Companies, Noble Foundation, Sayre Hospitality Group, The Bouquet Shop, Mennonite Mutual, The Commercial and Savings Bank, Farmers National Bank, Wooster Brush, and Seaman Corporation.
For more information about the mission of OHuddle, visit www.ohuddle.org.