Toast of the Town 2005 – a Huge Success Story!

Both in terms of fundraising and human interest, the Toast of the Town benefit, held October 26th, 2005, reached new heights of success. Attended by over 500 people from both the corporate and individual sectors of the community, the annual event raised more money then ever before and had nearly 70 of Milwaukee’s corporations and businesses involved.

The real success story, however, came from a twelve year old native American child who was given the year’s Youth Achievement Award for his fortitude and optimism despite his struggle with the seizure disorder. His name is Austin Moore and he had a very good time being congratulated by corporate and civic heads as well as Tony Coelho, chairman of the Board of Directors of the national Epilepsy Foundation who had flown in to be at the program and delivered a power-packed address on his personal experiences with the disorder.

In addition to Coelho, the head table included many of Milwaukee’s well-known business and civic leaders: Edward Zore, president and CEO of Northwestern Mutual was the Toast of the Town honoree; Mayor of Milwaukee Tom Barrett was honorary chairman of the event; Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce was the master of ceremonies. Raejean Kanter, executive director of the Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation co-chaired the gala with John Shiely, chairman, president and CEO of Briggs and Stratton Corporation. Tom McCullough, president of the Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Wisconsin was also on hand to introduce Austin Moore’s mother who related a compelling story of her son’s difficulties with the seizure disorder.

The evening also included a silent auction, reception and cocktails prior to the dinner, with a jazz duo providing background music both at the reception as well as during dinner.

The Toast of the Town gala has been held for twelve years and has honored a stellar number of corporate executives who have been instrumental in improving the quality of life for all of Milwaukee’s citizens. The event is the principal source of funding for over twenty programs that the Foundation offers to the more than 30,000 people in southeastern Wisconsin who have epilepsy, 10,000 of whom are children. In 2005, Toast of the Town was recognized for fundraising excellence by winning a Golden Circle Award at the Epilepsy Foundation’s National Leadership Conference in Tempe, Arizona.

The 2006 Toast of the Town will be held November 14th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Honoree of the event is Curt Culver, Chairman of MGIC Investment Corporation. Honorary Chairman is Tom Barrett, Mayor of Milwaukee. Chair is Edward J. Zore, President and CEO, Northwestern Mutual. Co-Chair is Gary Grunau, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager of Gilbane Building Company. Raejean Kanter, Executive Director of Impact Fund, Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation, has also agreed to serve as Co-Chair. Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce will be master of ceremonies. Invitations will be mailed in early September. If you would like to be included on the invitation list, please contact the Epilepsy Foundation offices at (414) 271-0110.