Community Corner
Fundraiser Held in Memory of Patricia Ann Holthaus
The woman's grandson organized a fundraiser at Skipjack's to help fight Crohn's disease and colitis.
In early 2011, Brandon Holthaus began planning a fundraiser in honor of his grandmother, Patricia Ann Holthaus, who had been struggling with Crohn's disease since she was diagnosed in 2009.
This April the Holthaus family lost Patricia—who was 77 years old—and the event was thrown in her honor June 18 at Skipjack's in Overlea.
A bittersweet evening full of friendly faces, family and friends packed the parking lot at Skipjack's and filled the two back rooms. At $25 a ticket, all proceeds will go to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, and Brandon hopes to "get the word out and urge people to take part in the 3-mile walk-a-thon next weekend," being held by CCFA in Baltimore, "to take steps and be heard."
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The evening was more than good food, drink and reminiscing. A silent auction and raffle drawings added to the monies being raised.
With more than 70 items donated for raffle or silent auction, varying from beautifully beaded jewelry and television and sports celebrity donations to Berger cookie packages, the Holthaus family reached out to celebrities using Twitter.com to request donations and were met with overwhelming generosity.
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"We were surprised at the number of responses and donations," said Brandon.
Among the items being auctioned and raffled were two autographed photos from network television's WB series and signed sports memorabilia donated by Orioles manager Buck Showalter.
"We were very excited when we found out items signed by John Ernskine of the Washington Capitals were being donated," added Brandon.
"This is a celebration of my grandmother's life tonight. She was diagnosed very late in life, and we hope to raise awareness and money for research to help find a cure for this heartbreaking and painful disease," Brandon said.
"It's a great way to get people involved."
It's never easy to watch a loved one suffer through an illness, and two rooms were full of people who loved Patricia on Saturday night in Overlea.
Her daughters Lynn and Mary Kay were there to help Brandon keep the event running smoothly, and family members Marie Spears, Julie Cardarelli, Stacey Venus and Cheryl Reid were at each other's side on this night full of memories of Pat and hope for a cure for this debilitating disease.