When it’s your first major in-person fundraiser after the pandemic intermission, you want to go big — especially if “big” is part of your organization’s name.
So that’s what Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region did, presenting a Big Night Out Gala on Friday at Antonelli Event Center in Irwin.
Event committee members even went to the big top for inspiration.
“We decided on a vintage circus theme,” said committee chair Mary Beth Atwood.
Pre-dinner entertainment featured aerialists, pole performers and other circus costume-clad characters provided by FitnessEnvi of Greensburg, including owner Aubrey Worek, Alyssa Siegel, Brittny Ravotti, Jackie Sobel, Angela Merlino and Jen Valdesalice.
Master of ceremonies, dressed in red tails and top hat, was Penn Township native Brad Broman, now a member of the “Hamilton” national touring company. At his side was “bearded lady” Ron Rukenbrod.
Rukenbrod said he is not a performer but he is a friend of BBBSLR Executive Director Stephanie Babich Mihleder: “She said, ‘Can you play the bearded lady?’, and I said yes.”
During the dinner hour, the 200 guests were introduced to the evening’s honorees: Donna Bailey, Partner of the Year; Dave Schroeder, School-Based Big of the Year; and Eric Davis, Community-Based Big of the Year.
Guests also tried their luck, bidding on auction items such as tickets to see Broman in “Hamilton” at Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center, rinkside Pittsburgh Penguins tickets, and a getaway to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort.
Event committee members included Gloria Brown, Robie Shoff, Rachel Sloan, Doug Estok, Josh Bogert, Julie King, Natalie Shoff and Alexa Mapstone.
Seen at the circus: Gabrielle Stewart, Tim Atwood, Kristen Robinson, Laura Veydt, Tina Davis, Jennifer Miller, Lauren Hill, David and Vicki Danielson, Marty and Joann Perz, Doug Chew, Mary Humberger, Bob and Chris Markley, Jim and Pat McRickard and Brian King.
