Several Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi attended the inaugural Voices From The Heart event. Pictured from left to right include Sr. Cecilia, Sr. Jerome, Sr. Mary Chatherine, Sr. Mary Therese, and Sr. Pat.
The crowd watched in awe as Mezzo Soprano Emily Righter performed songs she learned while working as a professional opera singer in Europe. Through a two-part performance, Emily and her Pianist, Frank “Johnny” Shütten, captivated more than 200 people at the inaugural Voices from the Heart fundraiser on Sept. 15.
Stifel Nicolaus and John and Peggy Moag were the Presenting Sponsors for the event, which raised more than $40,000 for the Franciscan Center. Held at the Legg Mason Tower in Harbor East, the picturesque room overlooked Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, giving event attendees a chance to see unique and beautiful views of the city.
Clarence M. Mitchell, IV, of The C4 Show on WBAL 1090 AM, emceed the event, and spoke about the tour he took of the Center. He told the crowd that the Center is meeting the most basic of needs of people in the community.
“The Franciscan Center to me is just a hidden jewel,” he told the crowd. “I did not know that this hidden jewel was doing all these things in this city and that’s why you have to support them.”
The audience also heard speeches from Sr. Eileen Quinn, who serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees for the Franciscan Center; Kim Gregory, Director of Food Services for the Franciscan Center; and Gregory Younger, a guest of the Franciscan Center who received services through the Technical Resource Center and Attire 4 Hire program.
Singer Emily Righter and Executive Director Christian Metzger.
The main performance came from Emily and Johnny, who truly captivated the crowd with their talents. Emily, a past volunteer of the Franciscan Center, recently finished her 2011-2012 season at the Salzburger Landestheater in Austria. Johnny is well versed in classical piano, composing, and orchestra conducting.
A big thank you to our Presenting Sponsors, Stifel Nicolaus and John and Peggy Moag; our Mezzanine Sponsors, Brown Advisory, St. Thomas More Society, and Sage Policy; our Balcony Sponsor, Liberty Property Trust; and our In-Kind Sponsors, Legg Mason, Maryland Piano, and Coastal Productions Studio. The Franciscan Center would also like to recognize the event committee – Chris Brown, Sr. Ellen Carr, Matthew Franke, Jen Grow, Jennifer Lehman, Greg McGeehan, Christian Metzger, Pat Monaghan, Mikey Monaghan, Wayne Ruth, and Kevin Wille.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success by donating their time, talent, and treasure! We look forward to next year!
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