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Youth Challenge Founder & Executive Director, Mary Sue Tanis, Pieter Canters and Colleen Murnane, President of the YC Board of Trustees
The Youth Challenge Gallery Gala Annual Benefit and Auction was held on Saturday, April 18 amidst the festive and unique environs of 78th St. Studios in Cleveland.
Over 350 generous guests enjoyed the unique venue that resulted in a night of essential fundraising with this one-of-a-kind organization headquartered in Westlake. Youth Challenge benefits children age 4-18 with various physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy and sensory impairments. The fundraiser succeeded in hitting its goal of over $200,000.
YC Volunteer Kendra Cundiff, YC Participant Jordan Williams and YC Volunteer Nick Morris
Youth Challenge runs with the help of teen volunteers who are paired one-on-one with participants at each program.
Saturday’s Gallery Gala was highlighted by two young men, volunteer Nick Morris and participant Jordan Williams, who took themselves out of their comfort zones to share their stories with guests in support of the Youth Challenge ‘Fund-a-Need’ initiative.
“At Youth Challenge, we know that everyone has the ability to be an athlete, an artist, a friend,” said Founder and Executive Director Mary Sue Tanis. “For the past 39 years, our organization has worked to make sports and recreational activities accessible for children with physical disabilities. We do so in a unique way – by pairing the children one-on-one with a teen volunteer partner. Participants are encouraged to push themselves out of their comfort zones to try new things and to achieve what they never thought possible.”
Youth Challenge participants come from over 8 county areas. This year, YC will offer more than 300 adapted activities throughout the Cleveland area. More than 165 children with physical disabilities and 450 teen volunteers will take part. All activities are free of charge.
To learn more, please visit Youthchallengesports.com.
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- Barb, YC Volunteer and Charlie Koch, YC Trustee
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- Kelly and Tom Clark
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- Kelly Clark, Kelly Jungeberg, Leslie Hilliard and Shannon Scott
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- Mike Scott, YC Trustee Darren Hilliard, Tom Clark, Brian Jungeberg
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- YC Trustee Chas and Jen Grossman
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- Gene and YC Trustee and Auction Co-chair, Marcia Obrock
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- Scott Malek and Myra Dvoroznak
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- Jill and YC Advisory Board member Bill Oatey
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- Patty and Scott Voisenet
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- YC Trustee & Event Co-chair Ernie Vargo, YC Trustee Andrew Vogt and Trish Vargo
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- YC Trustee & Event Co-chair Ernie and Trish Vargo
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- Mary Ellen and Tom Fraser, YC Trustee & Event Co-chair
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- Nora and Steve McDonald
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- Laura and Michael Marzec
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- Sal and Kathy Geraci
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- YC Trustee Steve, Tom, Gretchen, Sandy, Stacy and C.J. Nock
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- Kerry and Paul Capka
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- Lynn and Chris Maruskin
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- John and Amonica Davis
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- YC Trustee Mark Dvoroznak, YC Founder & Executive Director Mary Sue Tanis and Mike Bonitati
