Ad astra per ardura (to the stars through hard work!)

There should be more opportunities in life to celebrate what makes our community a great place to call home.

On October 23, at “Hitch your Wagon to the Stars.” the Neutral Zone’s toast to local teens and Albert M. Berriz, we had the chance to do just that.

Under the expert guidance of MC, Russ Collins, NZ devoted the evening to teens’ creative performances plus a short program that honored the vibrant spirit of young people, the importance of lifelong mentoring and the “take charge, get it done” attitude of one man responsible for Neutral Zone having a permanent secure place to call home.

After original poetry from Board Member and NZ teen Ben Alfaro and welcomes from Chris DeRuyver (NZ Board Chair), and John Weiss (NZ Exec. Director), the 270 people assembled enjoyed a beautiful video from Keith Jeffries about the Neutral Zone, and Albert M. Berriz’s role in creating a permanent home for NZ.

Then former NZ teen Teela Kibble earned prolonged applause as she shared a few stories of how the Neutral Zone helped her (and still helps her) make a place for herself in this world, despite considerable obstacles.

After Teela, Matt Sharp, Editor of Business Review, discussed the vital role of Albert’s leadership in shaping our community. Ambassador Ronald N. Weiser brought lumps to peoples’ throats as he shared the importance of his mentorship of and friendship with Albert.

Then our honoree took the stage and brought the crowd to its feet with his rousing testimony about the importance of Neutral Zone in our community. In order to stay vibrant, a community needs a place to nurture and develop the next generation of leaders. Neutral Zone is that place. Albert closed by exhorting those present to take out their checkbooks and write a big one to support the Neutral Zone. (It’s not too late! To donate, click here)

All good things must come to an end, and this evening was no exception. It drew to a close amidst dancing to the jazzy sounds of the Neutral Zone Afro-Caribbean All Stars.

NZ luv to (take a deep breath – it’s a wonderfully long list):

Our honoree: Albert M. Berriz, for accepting our request to hold up and honor your commitment to teens as an example for our community

Our teens: You blow everyone away every time you speak form your hearts and share your artistic talents. Special shout out to Ben Alfaro, Teela Kibble, the NZ Afro-Caribbean All Stars and DJ El.

Our sponsors: for investing in local teens, our community’s future

THE BIG BANG LEAD SPONSORS
Molly Dobson
Phil Jenkins
National City
Ambassador Ronald & Mrs. Eileen Weiser/McKinley

MILKY WAY SPONSOR
LaSalle Bank

BIG DIPPER SPONSORS
Comerica
Honingman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP
Swanna & Alan Saltiel

NORTH STAR SPONSORS
Lizann & Gerry Anderson
Bank of Ann Arbor
Bodman
Connie & Paul Dimond
Nancy & Del Dunbar
Beth & Joe Fitzsimmons
Hylant Group
The Key Foundation
Judy & Don Rumelhart
Ellie & Dennis Serras
Norma & Dick Sarns
TCF Bank

CORONA BOREALIS SPONSORS
Chelsea Milling
Lisa & Alan Dengiz
Janette Ferrantino
Herman Russeau Landscape
Key Bank Real Estate Capital
Mercantile Bank
Solar Contract Carpet
Bruce Wallace

IN-KIND SPONSORS
The Ann Arbor News
Chaircover Express Inc.
Kimberly Weder Designs
Kinetic Post Inc.
McKinley
Michigan League
Michigan Theater
ReUse Center (Recycle Ann Arbor)
Schakolad
Tom Thompson Flowers
University Musical Society

Our volunteers: for giving your all to make this event beautiful, memorable, meaningful and successful

Special shout out to

  • Paula Berriz, for being thoroughly involved and able to give NZ enough access to family documents and information we needed to make the event special
  • Russ Collins, our MC, for keeping it fun and lively
  • Swanna Saltiel, Claire Rice\, Emily Avers & Rachel Lauber, for heart-stopping decorations and dedication extraordinaire
  • Mary Williams, Jaci Portaro & Lisa Dengiz, for securing a record-setting amount of sponsorships

HONORARY CHAIRS
Ambassador & Mrs. Ronald Weiser

PLANNING COMMITTEE
Lizann & Gerry Anderson
Paula Berriz
Natalie Berry
Russ Collins
Kesa Connelly
Lisa & Alan Dengiz
Christopher DeRuyver
Paul Dimond
Molly Dobson
Del Dunbar
Beth & Joe Fitzsimmons
Debbie & Norman Herbert
Phil Jenkins
Ken Polsinelli
Jaclyn Portaro
Judy & Don Rumelhart
Swanna & Alan Saltiel
Ellie & Dennis Serras
Mary Williams

EVENT COMMITTEE
Emily Avers
Leslie Desmond
Janette Ferrantino
Barbara Kramer
Rachel Lauber
Fran Martin
Robyn Morrison
Mary Anne O’Connell
Dan Pasick
Suzanne Powell
Claire Rice
Swanna Saltiel
Robin Stephensen
Maura Thomson
Cristalle Volpi
Kim Weder
Betty Williams

VIDEO
Keith Jefferies
Matthew Poertner
Greg Meloche