Society: Charity events kicking into high gear

The season of multiple charity events is well on its way. On Thursday alone, we hit three of them.

The 10th Annual Spring into Style Fashion Event benefiting Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation was held at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham. More than 350 guests enjoyed a gourmet lunch followed by a fashion presentation from Cheryl Hall of RGA Model Management. The luncheon also featured a silent auction, ultimate raffle and compelling testimony form Dr. Arielle Hodari Gupta. This year’s chairs are Dr. Robert & Anabelle DiPilla and co-chairs Nancy Hodari, Toni Sova and Karen Stefani. Harriett Fuller was named the 2017 honoree for her dedication and creation of this annual fashion event.

Second up was an innovative dinner party on behalf of the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. About 100 people attended the exclusive gathering at David and Jennifer Fischer’s private race car facility inside M1 Concourse Race Track in Pontiac. This was part of MOCAD’s Fourth Annual Interchange Art + Dinner Series summer fundraisers, where some of Detroit's most avid art collectors open their homes and spaces for a range of exclusive evenings combining food, drink and art to create truly unique experiences. The Fischers allowed art to meet the automotive world, allowing guests to experience the newly completed M1 Concourse. Guests explored the unique M1 Concourse while sipping cocktails and noshing on a strolling dinner throughout the private garages. The ultimate was a thrilling ride on the 1.5 mile Champion Motor Speedway with a professional race car driver. Many of the guests went for several rides.

Lastly, Friends of the Arts Association hosted an enchanting evening of art and fare on the spacious garden at the home of Peter and Danialle Karmanos. Themed “Art After Hours,” the celebration was an immersion experience showcasing the fine and performing arts of Detroit Country Day School. Danialle Karmanos and Tracy Nystrom co-chaired the sold-out event. A large team of students impressively performed and displayed an array of fine and performing arts. Partygoers enjoyed an exquisite cheese table adjacent to a collection of fine wines poured by sommelier John Jonna. There was also a strolling dinner and a full bar. The big band entertainment was also from DCDS students. Detroit Country Day School in Oakland County provides a college preparatory education for the scholar, athlete and artist.

Chuck Bennett is the creator of TheSocialMetro.com and is the Fox 2 News Style Ambassador.