Lake Erie Nature & Science Center benefit guests discover the cosmos

Bay Village nonprofit’s 20th annual benefit draws 300+ to a celestial event

In spite of cloud cover and early evening showers, the stars were shining on Saturday, September 11, at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center. The 20th annual benefit for the Bay Village nonprofit invited more than 300 guests to "discover the cosmos" and indeed they did.

Inside the Center, which was transformed into a sparkling celestial landscape, guests dined on an amazing array of heavy tapas from around the world by Constantino’s Market and desserts from a host of local bakeries and eateries. Two open bars included beer, wine, soft drinks and a signature Cosmo, of course. A stellar silent auction, backyard bonfire and the cool, cosmic sounds of live music trio Bob Blankenburg, David Bruns and Tom Demis rounded out the entertainment.

Discover the Cosmos!, the nonprofit Center’s biggest fundraising event of the year, was co-chaired by Alison Muth and Marianna Orro, with committee support from Amanda DiBenedetto, Corryn Firis and Christopher Herbruck. DiBenedetto was the force behind the decorations that included silver candlelit trees adorned with crystal ornaments and thousands of twinkle lights inside and out. She also pulled together artists of all ages to interpret our Solar System in a variety of media, with 20% of the sales benefiting the Center.

Firis headed up a live auction that featured more than 85 exciting packages from great getaways and sports tickets to spa treatments and an archaeological dig. Herbruck led the Board’s goal-topping underwriting efforts, supported by a long list of corporate and individual donors.

Muth and Orro both say the evening does more than raise much-needed support for a great community resource. “This evening focuses well-deserved attention on the wonderful mission of the Center — the planetarium, live wildlife and unmatched nature and science educational programs,” said Orro.

Catherine Timko, who was attending her first Center benefit since starting as Executive Director in January, had high praise for benefit co-chairs and committee. “This event takes hours and hours of planning and work and it’s all made possible by the selfless contributions of the Benefit Committee, auction donors, underwriters and volunteers. It’s humbling to see how much the community values this organization and is willing to support it with time and resources.”

Shuttle Astronaut Mike Foreman helped to announce the winners of the evening's raffles for two Continental Airlines round trip tickets, Sterling silver Chamilia charm bracelet, a handmade “Wild for Nature” quilt. Foreman, who logged five spacewalks during two shuttle missions, was the only attendee who could say he'd done the real thing, as other guests lined up to pose for a photo behind a floating astronaut cut-out.

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center features a planetarium, wildlife rehabilitation, more than 100 live exhibit and educational animals and a wide variety of educational class and program offerings for all ages, annually serving more than 180,000 children and adults. The Center is located in the Cleveland Metroparks Huntington Reservation, but it is an independent, donor-funded, nonprofit organization.