Ladies in sparkling gowns and gentlemen in tuxedos — including TV star Jay Leno — gathered at the John S. Knight Center on Saturday evening for the 15th annual Sapphire Ball.
About 1,100 guests posed for photos in the rotunda before continuing to the ballroom, beautifully decorated in shades of sapphire blue.
Paul and Kathie Testa co-chaired the event, with Bob Cooper as corporate committee chair and Dr. John DiSabato as physician chair. The ball was expected to raise over $1 million for Summa Health Primary Care and clinical areas and services.
At a sparkling blue bar in the center of the room, Mary Ann Jackson greeted Sam and Martha Salem and David and Vicki Gatie. Meanwhile, Jim and Carroll McIlvaine joined Phylis Ferrara, Summa Health Foundation president and chief development officer.
“This is the third year in a row we’ve attended this ball,” Rich and Lisa Clark told Tim and Marjorie Dye.
Kat and Bill Miller, Phil George and Iloma Ponomariov noted even the ice cubes in their martinis were glowing blue.
“We look forward to this event every year — it kicks off the winter season,” state Sen. Frank LaRose said as he joined his wife, Lauren, and Judge Todd McKenney and his wife, Bethany.
Tia Stathopoulos introduced Tom Farmakidis, who is moving to the Akron area from Dallas.
Masters of Ceremonies Eric Mansfield and Sara Shookman opened the program with a cheer for the Cleveland Indians. Brian Fortney promised everyone he would keep tabs on the game on his smartphone as he enjoyed the event with Juliana Moziner, Dan and Ginger Marchetta, Dr. Dick and Janine Patterson, Ed and Jennifer Kuchar, and Julia Bianchi.
The highlight of the evening was Leno’s appearance. He felt right at home when he arrived at the Knight Center, with vintage cars from Bob Jones’ collection gracing the street in the front of the center.
Brooks Ames conducted the auction as guests were invited to bid on a tour of Jay Leno’s garage and personal car collection. Leno graciously offered the tour to the top three bidders, so Fran Bittle, Gia Weisberg and Cindy Leppo will be going to California to take the tour.
Following dinner Dr. Thomas Malone, president and CEO of Summa, thanked everyone for their support, noting over the years the Sapphire Ball has raised over $8 million to benefit clinical programs and services for Summa patients.
Spotted in the crowd were: Steve Comunale, Jackie Trainor, Jim Simon, Craig Libman, Dr. Vivian Von Gruenigen, George and Karen Daverio, Greg and Monica Stephens, Sean Joyce, Janice Stephenson, Mitch and Suzanne Allen, and Kat and Tim Pestan.