The night was rich with sound and color at our annual CSSW fall event. It was a festive celebration of giving as over a hundred people made their way to beautiful Stone Arch Events Center in Saline for Painting a Brighter Future. Guests were greeted with a signature cocktail or one of the fantastic fall beers donated by Ann Arbor Brewing Company and the sophisticated sounds of the Greg Simon Trio framing the background. Over two dozen donated auction items ranging from the delicate and beautiful to the experiential and fun kept guests busy at the silent auction tables and created some great opportunities for banter. After a tantalizing buffet of savory autumn appetizers, speed painter Tim Decker took the stage and dazzled the room with his energetic and colorful painting exhibition. In the span of thirty minutes, he produced three large and animated portraits of contemporary icons which were then sold at the live auction benefitting the ongoing work of CSSW.
The real stars of the evening were the generous guests and donors who raised over $94,000 to support CSSW programs. Dr. Susan Goold compelled the room to think compassionately and give generously through sharing her first hand experience working with FUSE clients and led into Event Auctioneer Tim Patton closing the evening with a paddle-ask auction. It was an inspiration to see the guests responded to Dr. Goold’s call with generous gifts and well-wishes for the vulnerable and marginalized who are served by CSSW.