SJMH Chelsea celebrates 30 years of charity with St. Louis Center

The State Council of the Michigan Knights of Columbus presented a check to Fr. Enzo Addari, CEO of St. Louis Center, for $25,000 for the center’s Legacy Campaign.

St. Joseph Mercy Hospital-Chelsea (formerly Chelsea Community Hospital) was the place to be on the evening of Saturday, November 11, as the 30th Annual St. Louis Center Fall Dinner Auction was held once again in the hospital’s fine dining room.

Initiated in 1987 by retired Chelsea Hospital CEO Willard Johnson, the event was meant to generate community support for St. Louis Center, which cares for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “We’ve come a long way during the past 30 years,” said Johnson, “and I’m proud of the work we’ve done to support the center over the years.” The hospital donates the food and the wait staff for the event so that all proceeds go directly to the charity. According to Chairwoman Kathi Neuman, “This was one of our biggest turnouts, and we had a lot of great bidders here to support our cause. We are grateful to everyone who came out to support us tonight.”

Some of the more interesting live auction items included a trip for two on Azamara Cruise Lines anywhere in the world, a fishing trip to Loch Island, Canada, a Northern Michigan Golf Package, and a one week stay at the Hilton Los Cabos Beach and Golf Resort in Mexico. Fr. Enzo Addari, CEO, honored five generations of the Joseph Merkel family for their many contributions to St. Louis Center over the years by presenting a gift to Judy Merkel, former owner of the Wolverine. Finally, the State Council of the Michigan Knights of Columbus presented a check to Fr. Enzo for $25,000 for the Legacy Campaign.

For more information about St. Louis Center, please visit the website at www.stlouiscenter.org.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.