The Big Hearts for Seniors (BHS) annual fundraiser event benefits six community senior programs — Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels, Housing Bureau for Seniors, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Silver Club Memory Programs, Turner African American Services Council, and Turner Senior Wellness Program.
Since 2006, Big Hearts for Seniors has raised over $630,000 to support local seniors in our communities.
2023 Big Hearts for Seniors (BHS)
Thursday, May 18, 2023 | Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, Ann Arbor, MI
Big Hearts for Seniors presents the much anticipated Big Hearted Stories: On Purpose, our 18th annual event! Join us for an evening of local storytelling, connection, and entertainment.
Guests will be delighted to know that Vic Strecher, PhD, MPH, professor of health behavior and health education at the U-M School of Public Health, will again serve as our host and emcee. Last year, he engaged the audience throughout the program with his dynamic wit and authenticity.
5:30 pm VIP Reception (one hour)
6:00 pm General Admission and Silent Auction Viewing
6:30 pm Theater Doors Open
7:00 pm Storytelling Performance
Call for Storytellers for BHS 2023!
Do you have a story to tell? Big Hearts for Seniors (BHS) is searching for storytellers to tell their true stories using the theme, “On Purpose” on May 18, 2023.
Applications will be accepted through February 24, 2023. Individual coaching will be provided to those who are selected. Applying to be a storyteller is easy. You don’t have to have a full story to apply, just an idea. Please fill out the application and put together a brief description of your story idea (250 words or less).
To learn more about the theme and the selection process, watch this brief video from Artistic Director Breeda Miller:
Important Dates for Storytellers:
- Call for Storyteller Submissions: until February 24, 2023
- Storytelling workshop (virtual- optional and open to the community) - January 14, 2023. 10:00 am- 12:00 pm. Sign up here.
Worried about how to turn your experience and idea into a great story? You are not alone! You will get to participate in personalized workshops with storytelling veterans. They will guide you on shaping your story and making it what you want it to be.
- Pitchfest: March 4/5, 2023, at Turner Senior Resource Center- 2401 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48105
- Storyteller Announcement: March 6, 2023
- Coaching sessions - 3 sessions per storyteller. Dates TBD. Three one-hour coaching sessions will be determined during the months of March and April at dates agreed upon by coaches and participants.
- Dress Rehearsal at Lydia Mendelssohn Theater: May 17, 2023
- Performance: May 18, 2023
Past Events
2022 Big Hearts for Seniors Event
The 2022 Big Hearts for Seniors event took place on May 17 and was a huge success! Celebrating its 17th anniversary, the event was held in the beautiful Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre in Ann Arbor and included a live performance featuring five storytellers, who each shared personal stories surrounding the theme of the night: “journey.” Through ticket sales, a silent auction of almost 200 items, and donations, the Big Hearted Stories: Journeys raised a record-breaking total of $134,000, which is $33,000 more than the record set in 2021. To watch the recording click here.
Thank You to All of the 2022 Sponsors
GOLD
Friends Gift Shops Advisory Board: Michigan Medicine University of Michigan Health, A Community Health Services Program
SILVER
Marti and Bob Barden
Martin Family Foundation
BRONZE
All Seasons Ann Arbor
Balfour Ann Arbor
Brookhaven Manor Senior Living
DTE Energy
Hillside Terrace Senior Living
Home Instead
Michigan Medicine Community Health Services Michigan Medicine — University of Michigan — Geriatrics Center
UNDERWRITING — TECHNOLOGY
RV Retailer, LLC
UNDERWRITING — GIFT ITEM
Physicians Health Plan
COPPER
Angela Hospice
Arbor Hospice
Bank of Ann Arbor
John and Kathleen Beilein
The Betty Brigade
BrightStar Care of Howell & Ann Arbor Brookdale Ann Arbor
Chalgian & Tripp Law Offices
EHM Senior Solutions
Elara Caring
James G. and Carol Ann Fausone
Fox Run Senior Living
Glacier Hills Senior Living Community
Jack and Monica Knowles
Legacy Law Center — Terrence A. Bertram, PLLC Michigan G.R. and M.A., LLC
NuStep
Old National Bank
Signature Financial Planning
University Living
University of Michigan Credit Union
Vintage Financial Services, LLC
IN-KIND MEDIA
Cumulus Media Ann Arbor
2021 Big Hearts for Seniors Event
May 27, 2021 - View Event Program
- Click here to watch the 2021 program.
- Thank you to our 2021 Sponsors. Click here to view.
Thank You to Our 2021 $250+ Donors!
Big Hearts for Seniors greatly values the support from all our donors and we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this honor roll. Please contact us at (734) 763-6080 if you note any errors. This is a listing of gifts received from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
- Ms. Regina Abney
- Mrs. Lynn Adelman
- Ms. Stephanie Augustyniak
- Dr. Nan Barbas
- Ms. Laurie Barnett
- Ms. Lisa Barton
- Mr. John Beilein
- Ms. Michele Carmona
- Dr. John Charpie
- Mrs. Juanita Christian
- Ms. Anita Clos
- Dr. Dennis Crowley
- Mrs. Gwendolyn Davidge
- Dr. Julie DeLoria
- Mrs. Laura Devens
- Dr. Colin Duckett
- Mrs. Shannon Etcheverry
- Dr. John Farah
- Ms. Margaret Flannery
- Mrs. Janet Fogler
- Dr. Brian Foster
- Mrs. Susan Franke
- Mr. William Furtwangler
- Ms. Stephanie Gatica
- Mrs. Charlene Hancock
- Ms. Christine Hansen
- Mr. Paul Haynes
- Ms. Jennifer Howard
- Mr. J. Michael Huget
- Ms. Amy Hurst
- Mrs. Kathleen Hurst
- Mr. George Hurst
- Mrs. Janet Johnson-Haynes
- Mrs. Julia Kramer
- Mr. Paul Mack
- Mrs. Rosanne Mack
- Mrs. Rosanne Mack
- Ms. Sue McMahon
- Mr. William McPherson
- Ms. Sharon McRill
- Ms. Mary Mostaghim
- Mr. Roger Parker
- Dr. Neal Persky
- Mrs. Ann Raftery
- Mrs. Renee Robbins
- Ms. Alfreda Rooks Jordan
- Dr. Carolyn Siebers
- Ms. Elizabeth Spencer
- Ms. Gretta Spier
- Ms. Jane Spinner
- Mrs. Maureen Stein
- Dr. Jonathan Sugar
- Dr. Theodore Suh
- Mrs. June Swartz
- Dr. Sharon Swindell
- Ms. E. Laurita Thomas
- Ms. Ann Tomlanovich
- Jane Wilson Trust
- Dr. Marie Vitale
- Dr. Caroline Vitale
- Mr. Royce Walters
- Mrs. Sandra Weimert
- Ms. Julie Wheaton
- Ms. Carolyn White
- Ms. Jena Wisely
- Ms. Julie Young
- Ms. Barbara Zaret