Gala raises $1 million for Southwest General maternity expansion: Around The Town

MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio — The 2022 Tiara Gala, held in early April, raised more than $1 million for a multimillion-dollar maternity expansion and renovation project at Southwest General Hospital, 18697 Bagley Road.

Proceeds from the biennial event, hosted by the Community Health Foundation — a non-profit organization that centralizes fundraising efforts for Southwest — will enable the hospital to double the size of its existing maternity unit while adding a higher level of care for moms and babies.

The upgrade will elevate the hospital from Level I to Level II maternity care.

When the full scope of the project is complete in mid-2022, the new Cosgrove Maternity Center at Southwest General will be the only Level II Neonatal Special Care Nursery and maternity facility serving southwestern Cuyahoga and northern Medina counties.

The Tiara Gala featured prominent guests, including former television newscaster Robin Swoboda and Jim Tressel, president of Youngstown State University and former head football coach at The Ohio State University.

In July 2021, the Cosgrove Family Foundation donated $1.25 million to support the hospital’s maternity project. The foundation was established by Bill Cosgrove, president and chief executive officer of Union Home Mortgage, and his wife, Paula Cosgrove, vice chairman of the foundation, to ensure community access to necessary services and resources for local families.

The Cosgrove Family Foundation was one of the key sponsors of the Tiara Gala, along with long-time hospital donors Mike and Lori Catanzarite.

Two additional contributions were announced during the gala.

Wayne and Debbie Brassell, donors and trustees of Southwest General, committed to a major gift of $100,000, on top of their significant contribution to the hospital’s Behavioral Health Services, to name the bridge that connects the new labor and delivery and postpartum units.

Ron and Mary Jane Warzel, donors and trustees of Southwest General, committed to more than $500,000 in support of the new neonatal special care nursery.

William A. Young, president and chief executive officer at Southwest General, said the gifts “not only support Southwest General’s mission of providing safe, high-quality care for patients, but also demonstrate our donors’ personal commitment to improving the quality of life in the communities we serve for generations to come.”

Drawing pays off: The Berea Kiwanis Club’s April meeting featured a 100/100 drawing, where it paid out $5,000 to 10 winners. Another $5,000 will cover one-half of the club’s annual high school scholarships.

Winners include Mary Ann Deimling, $2,000; Dave DiBlasio, $500; Mark Comstock, $500; Roy Mallarnee, $500; Cons Templeman, $300; Joe Germana, $300; Jack Woodards, $300; Daune Jaynes, $200; Jim Templeman, $200; and Nancy Doutt, $200.

Support group: Are you the parent or caregiver of a child who is gender questioning, expansive or LGBTQ+? If so, you are invited to join an interactive caregiver support group sponsored by Connecting for Kids at 7 p.m. April 21 at the Cuyahoga County Library’s Middleburg Heights branch, 16699 Bagley Road.

This virtual event will provide families with resources to enable them to make informed decisions for their child.

Kristen Pepera, MEd., LPPCC-S, and Lisa Pepera, MEd. LPCC-S, of Colors+, will lead a discussion where families can learn, connect and find resources to better support and affirm their child.

Fresh produce: The Greater Cleveland Food Bank mobile pantry will distribute fresh produce — rain, snow, or shine — from 10 a.m. to noon May 27 at the Cuyahoga County Library’s Brook Park branch, 6155 Engle Road.

Food will be distributed to those in need on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. For more information, call the library at 216-267-5250.

Regional competition: Berea-Midpark High School students in Polaris Career Center’s satellite biomedical science program won top places in regional competitions recently.

The students competed in the Future Health Professionals competition at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center in Brecksville.

Qualifying for the state competition in Columbus are Eden Gedama, 1st place, medical math; Karina Black, 2nd place, Researched Persuasive Writing & Speaking; Kaylie Oliver, 3rd place, Researched Persuasive Writing & Speaking; MacKenzie Peck, 2nd place, Clinical Specialty; and Tiffany Talbot, 2nd place, Family Medicine Physician.

In addition, Naomi Melnick and Aiden Cheney will compete in the Healthcare Issues Exam.

Swim team honors: Five members of the Berea-Midpark High School swimming and diving program were awarded All-Southwestern Conference Honors.

Senior swimmer Abby Calaway was named to the first team. Ethan Dort, Morgan Hartman, Evan Kehoe and Eliza Wegner were Honorable Mention All-Southwestern and Conference selections.

The All-SWC teams were selected by the conference championship meet and the eight Southwestern Conference coaches.

SCAN Hunger Center Pantry: 39 W. Bagley Road, Williamsport Plaza. 440-260-7226. Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Friday of the month and 4 to 7 p.m. on the fourth Friday.

Church Street Ministries pantry: 1480 Bagley Road, 440-239-0549. Open noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Mini pantries: There are two Little Free Pantries located near People’s Community Church, 628 Wesley Drive, and Cuyahoga County’s Berea branch Library at 7 Berea Commons. The Prospect Pantry is at the corner of Prospect Street and Jacqueline Drive.

Rise in Love: Free hot meal from 2 to 4 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month at St. Adalbert Catholic Church, Keller Center, 66 Adalbert St. Eat-in or Carry Out. The next meal is on April 20.

Free Community Meal: St. Paul Lutheran Church, 276 E. Bagley Road, served from 5 to 6 p.m. on the second and last Wednesdays of the month. Drive-up only. The next meal is April 27.

People’s Community Church pantry: 628 Wesley Drive, 440-234-0609. Open 10 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of the month. The next open pantry will be on Saturday, and on May 21.

Pet Food Pantry: Animal Rescue Friends, 10015 E. River Road, Columbia Station, 10 a.m. to noon every Sunday. Contact 440-234-2034 or [email protected] for more information.

Senior luncheons: Monthly Seniors Luncheon at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 276 E. Bagley Road in Berea. Lunches are $5 and are served at noon on the second Tuesday of every month. For more information, call Michelle Skutt at 440-234-6080.

Read more from the News Sun.