November Early Bird Raffle Winner: Melinda Otero
December Early Bird Raffle Winner: Therese Griebel
January Early Bird Raffle Winner: Leigh Luzar
February Early Bird Raffle Winner: Myrlin Persaud
Straight from the Heart proceeds will continue to support cardiovascular services and heart healthy initiatives for Cleveland Clinic’s Avon, Fairview and Lutheran Hospitals and surrounding communities.
Funds will be used to provide:
- Automated external defibrillator (AED) machines throughout the community
- Educational and community events for caregivers and patients
- Cardiac equipment and education for local first responders
- Therapeutic post-op support pillows for all open-heart patients
- Programming for elementary school students to promote healthy lifestyles
- Cardiac equipment in emergency departments
- Local cardiac screening events and Early Heart Attack Care (EHAC) drills
The Community West Foundation and Cleveland Clinic’s Fairview, Avon, and Lutheran Hospitals celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Straight from the Heart on Saturday, February 24th. Over 300 people gathered at the Aviator Event Center for dinner, drinks, dancing, and to witness the reveal of the 40-prize raffle winners. Attendees enjoyed a night of fun led by event emcee, Ahmaad Crump, and tested their luck with casino games like blackjack, roulette, craps, and three-card poker. $500 cash was raffled off every hour to one lucky guest, and the event boasted over twenty raffle basket and sideboard prizes, including a diamond necklace, Cleveland Cavaliers floor seats, a 5-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, a 70’’ TV, and much more. When it came time to announce the top winners, Ahmaad called in the Men in Black who carried briefcases with the winners' names in them. Beth Poltorek was the Grand Prize $100,000 winner, and with college-age children, will be using her winnings to help them with their schooling. The night would not have been possible without the sponsors, including US Communications, Legacy Health Services, Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular, and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic Avon, Fairview, Lutheran Hospitals, Community West Foundation, Perspectus, O’Neill Healthcare, Regency Construction, St. Mary of the Woods, Residence Home Care, Linda & Roger Stewart, Altercare, Rivchun Jewelers, Independence Travel, and more. See you next year!
Since 1999, Cleveland Clinic has ranked as a Top 5 hospital and has also held the No. 1 ranking in Cardiology & Heart Surgery since 1995.
Read more about it here.