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 $775,000 to support local seniors in our communities.
2023 Big Hearts for Seniors (BHS)
Thursday, May 18, 2023 | Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, Ann Arbor, MI
On May 18, Big Hearts for Seniors presented the much anticipated Big Hearted Stories: On Purpose, our 18th annual event!
Attendees had the opportunity to hear about the importance of visioning from featured storyteller Ari Weinzweig, co-founding partner of Zingerman's Community of Businesses. Vic Strecher, PhD, MPH, Professor of Health Behavior and Health Education at U-M School of Public Health returned as emcee, and shared the story of reevaluating his purpose after the loss of his daughter.
The lineup of storytellers featuring Wallace Bridges, Kasey Hilton, Audrey Lucas, Traci Ruiz and Chris Mosley, was not to be missed. The storytellers shared true stories about discovering purpose in their lives after experiencing the grief of losing loved ones, unspoken love and respect of a father, accessibility needs of a child, responsibility of caring for an elder, and growth of opportunities over a long career. All the storytellers felt drawn to the theme 'On Purpose,' and each had a unique perspective to share. The evening also featured a VIP reception and silent auction featuring over 250 items.
Through ticket sales, sponsorships, silent auction bidders, and donations, this years’ event raised more than $147,000, which is a record!
This event is made possible thanks to our many generous sponsors, including this year’s Presenting Sponsor: U-M Health Advantage.
Thank You to All of the 2023 Sponsors!
2023 Sponsors
PRESENTING
U-M Health Advantage
PLATINUM
Friends Gift Shops: A Program of Community Health Services at U-M Health
SILVER
DTE Energy Foundation
Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan Geriatric Center
Marti and Bob Barden
Martin Family Foundation
BRONZE
Atria Park of Ann Arbor
Balfour Ann Arbor
Blue Compass RV
Brookhaven Manor Senior Living
CuraVitae
FirstLight Home Care of Greater Ann Arbor
U-M Health Department of Community Health Services
COPPER
Angela Hospice
Arbor Hospice
Atria Park of Ann Arbor
Balfour Ann Arbor
Bank of Ann Arbor
Bassett Murray Law Group, LLC
Blue Compass RV
BrightStar Care Home Care
Brookhaven Manor
Chalgian & Tripp Law Offices, PLLC
CuraVitae
EHM Senior Solutions
FirstLight Home Care of Greater Ann Arbor
Fox Run Senior Living
Home Instead of Ann Arbor
Jack and Monica Knowles
Jana Smith
John and Kathleen Beilein
Legacy Law Center — Terrence A. Bertram, PLLC Michigan G.R. and M.A., LLC
Michigan G.R. and M.A., LLC
Old National Bank
Royce G. Walters
The Betty Brigade
U-M Health Department of Community Health Services
University Living
FRIEND
All Seasons Ann Arbor
Cabell Family Dental Care
Chelsea Retirement Community (Brio Living Services)
Excel Dental
Germain Honda of Ann Arbor
Jennifer and David Howard
Huron Valley PACE
Rick and Bonnie Ohye
Silver Maples of Chelsea Retirement Neighborhood
Sodalis Senior Living
Sparrow Market
Theodore T. Suh, MD, PhD
University of Michigan Credit Union
Visiting Angels Ann Arbor
IN-KIND
2 LadsWinery
36 Social
ABC3 (Awesome Business, Coaches, Counselors and Consultants)
Aberdeen Farm
Ace Barnes Hardware
Afternoon Delight
Al Dente Pasta Whitmore Lake
American Appliance Heating and Cooling
Ann Arbor Art Center
Ann Arbor City Club
Arbor Farms Market
Arcadian Antiques
Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Ann Arbor
Athleta at Briarwood Mall
Aubree's Pizzeria & Grill
Axe Ventura
B.D.E.L Transport, LLC
Balance and Composure Massage & Spa
BarStar Management
Bavarian Inn Lodge
Bell's Brewery
Beth Spencer
Bivouac
Blank Slate Creamery
Bonobo Winery
Breeda Miller Speaking
Briarwood Mall
Brighton Airborne Adventure Park
Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery
Busch's Fresh Food Market
By Dawn's Early Light Home Care Service's INC.
Cambrian Assisted Living & Memory Care
Cardamom Restaurant
Caretel Inns
Catching Fireflies - Ann Arbor
Chaloner's Cigar House
Chateau Chantal Winery
Chef Darlene
Cherry Republic
Cheryl and Paul Whitfield
Claire Dahl
Club Champion
Crow's Nest
Curtis Stevens
Daria Paik
Debbie Nanry
Debi Varland: debiV Studio Art Glass Design
Detroit Lions
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit StreetFilling Station
Detroit Tigers
Education Center
El Harissa Market Cafe
Eleanor's Sweets and Sodas
Electric Ramen
Emagine Theater
Eternity Brewing Company
Everest Sherpa Restaurant
Everyday Wines
FireKeepers Casino
Fischer Theatre
Fowling Warehouse Ypsi Ann Arbor
Fran Coy's Salon and Spa
Frita Batidos
Gabrielle Lucci
Grace Cataldo
Gross Electric
Handyman Connection
Holiday's Restaurant
HOMES Brewery
Hotel Hickman Chuckwagon BBQ
Human Electric Hybrids, LLC
Infinity Yacht Charters
Izzy's Hoagie Shop
Janet V. Haynes
Jerusalem Garden
John Beilein
John U. Bacon
Jon Onye Lockard Foundation
Julie Edwards
Ken Magee
Kestly Development and Training
Kimball Animal Hospital
Kimberly Lauren's Body & Health Studios
Knight's Southside Market
Lake Forest Gold Club
Lewis Jewelers
Liberty Athletic Club
Loretta Grimes
Lucky Kitchen, Inc.
Lux Looks Salon
Madaras Design Studio
Mainstreet Ventures Restaurant Group
Mary Alice Treadway
Mast Shoes
MAWBY Sparkling Wine
McIntosh Dental
Medical Care Alert
Medical Weight Loss Clinic
Mediterrano
Meijer
Metzger' German Restaurant
Michigan Firehouse Museum
Mickey Taylor
Mindo Chocolate Makers
Motawi Tileworks
MotorCity Casino Hotel
Natalie Novello
NautiMI on the River
Noreen Owens Photography
Norman Mallard
Norton's Flowers & Gifts
OLLI-UM
Ore Creek Craft Cider
P.F. Chang's
Pat Walters & Sons - Heating and Cooling
Pedal Saloon Ann Arbor
PencilPoint TheatreWorks
People's Food Co-Op
Phil Zaret
Plum Market
Rappourt
Rita Gelman
Rob Reinhart's Essential Music
Ryan Molloy
Salt Springs Brewery
Schuler Books
Seva Ann Arbor
Shari Buck
Signs In 1 Day
Silver Club Memory Program
Sparrow Properties North
Spun Ann Arbor
Star's Café
State & Liberty Clothing Company
Stone & Spoon
Susan Falcone
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea
Tap Room
Target
TeaHaus
The Ark
The Betty Brigade
The Earle
The Health & Fitness Center at WCC
The M Den
The Purple Rose Theatre Company
The Whitney
Theatre NOVA
TJ Maxx - Westgate Management Team
Trader Joe's
Turner's Greenhouse
Twinkle Toes Alaska
Unicorn Feed and Supply
University Musical Society
University of Michigan Athletics
University of Michigan Club of Ann Arbor
Unwind Yarn Shop
Vestergaard Farms
Vic Strecher
Walcott Dental
Washtenaw Golf Club
Wayne DeLoria
Weingartz - Ann Arbor
Wild Birds Unlimited
Wines For Humanity
York Food & Drink
Zingerman's Community of Business
Zippy Auto Wash
Zoup!
Learn More About the Event
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