Marilyn Monroe on the auction block? Didn't she pass away decades ago? Nope.More like Marilyn Merlot, a fancy magnum of wine named after the famous…
Marilyn Monroe on the auction block? Didn’t she pass away decades ago? Nope.
More like Marilyn Merlot, a fancy magnum of wine named after the famous Hollywood star.
“That will be one of our most unique gifts auctioned off at this year’s Shining Stars fundraiser,” Chesterland Rotary President Jay Jones said last Wednesday.
The Rotarians are looking forward to this year’s event on Feb. 15 at the St. Noel Banquet Center in Willoughby Hills. It will run from 6 p.m. until midnight.
Rotarians Fred Nevar, Bob Voss and Derek Taylor and Jones discussed the 23rd running of the event and how it benefits local charities and organizations.
“In addition to dinner, drink, dancing and music, we will have plenty of silent auction bargains for you to surprise your valentine,” Nevar said.
The event will also feature an open bar, a chance at a $1,000 grand prize and live music from the Don Wojtila Band.
Shining Stars started in 1991, shortly after the Chesterland Rotary’s 1990 inception, Nevar said.
The first event attracted about 150 guests and raised about $3,000. A quarter-century later, Shining Star’s average profit is $20,000 and about 300 guests show up.
“We invite others to join us,” Nevar said.
Organizations like the Emerald Rose mental health advocacy group and United Way Services of Geauga County participate.
Each organization receives a pro-rated amount based on how much money is raised that night. Shining Stars allows each organization to participate in a larger fundraiser than they would have been able to create on their own, Nevar added.
Voss and Taylor talked about the auction process.
“We’re responsible for getting the gifts and putting them on the table,” Taylor said. “We also have to define the low bid on each item and have a process in place for how the auction will unfold.”
The Rotary brings in different organizations each year to participate in the fundraiser, which helps add to the variety of items being auctioned off, Voss said.
The popularity of the event over the past quarter-century has helped organizations become better-known in the community, such as WomenSafe in Chardon, a domestic violence shelter.
Each cooperating charity or organization is mentioned in the program book.
“In the end, it’s a win-win for everyone involved,” Nevar said.
