12th Annual Art + Advocacy Happy Little Auction Recap
Jason Marsh with J Marsh Auctions and Estates auctions off the award-winning “WHAT YOU SAY?” painting donated by Mark Piotrowski.
Artists Alexis Bearinger, Jazz Benetiz, Heather Deogracia, Rocky Maldodano, Annie Stout, and Jordan Taylor collaborate on a live art painting during the event.
Artist Erik Johnson donates caricature artwork during the event.
Guests participate in Happy Little Tree Photobooth donated by Sue Labonville, and designed by Allison Stout.
Midland Child Advocacy Center’s 12th Annual Art + Advocacy fundraiser event was held on May 1st 2025, raising over $45,000 towards its child abuse prevention and intervention services. As the sole fundraising event for the agency, these funds are critical for the ongoing programmatic needs of these services. With the theme “Happy Little Auction,” the evening included:
Live Audience Games: Feelin’ Squirrely, Heads & Tails, and Bobble Ross
Live Auction Items: Happy Little Lotto + Gift Card Tree, Live Art Painting, and more!
Experiences: Caricature Drawings, Happy Little Photo Booth, and Live Artist Collaborative Creation
Raffle Items - Art, Sports Memorabilia, Unique Experiences, and more!
Heavy hors d’oeuvres + drinks featuring Happy Little Lemonade
Special Thanks To:
HOST: Creative 360
EVENT PLANNER: Live Local Events
HONORARY CHAIRS: Kay + Jeff Wagner
EMCEE: Meg McLeod, WNEMTV5news
AUCTIONEER: Jason Marsh, J. Marsh Auctions and Estate Sales
PHOTOGRAPHER: Jadynn Inman, Bright Thyme Photography
MARKETING + DESIGN: Annie Stout, Paper Heart Design Co.
PIANIST: Jackson Gwizdala
PRINTING: QRP
CATERING: The Menu Manager
COFFEE: Live Oak Coffeehouse + Boomerang Coffee Lounge
LEMONADE: Boomerang Coffee Lounge
SPECIALTY DRINK: Three Bridges Distillery and Taproom
WATER: Kevin Crampton
HELIUM: Helium House Midland
CARICATURE SERVICES: Erik Johnson, Illustrator
PHOTOBOOTH: Sue Labonville + Allison Stout
Art + Advocacy Committee Members
Kevin Crampton (Co-Chair), Annie Stout (Co-Chair), Stuart Davidson, Joslyn Chulski, Jason Marsh, Marybeth Penkala, Erica Piña, Cailey Brown, Kevin Heye, Alexis Niederstadt, + Morgan Rooy.
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors!
PRESENTING - $10,000
CHAMPION - $5,000
ADVOCATE - $2,500
Honorary Chairs, Jeff & Kay Wagner
John & Amy Wilson
ALLY - $1,000
SUPPORTER - $750
ENTHUSIAST - $500
David & Patti Kepler
Greg Crider
Tammy Terrell
BAR SPONSOR
ADDITIONAL DONORS
Nancy Barker
Shane Brawt
Pam Butcher
Mike Erikson
Kourtney Garno
Jeanne Genovese
Marita Hattem-Schiffman
Sara JacobsCarter
J Wood Contracting LLC
Modern Realty
Terry Moore
Sharon Mortensen
Marissa Palmer
Lisa + Marc Tarkington
Poznak Dyer Kanar Schefsky Thompson PLC
Dan Scheffer
Carol + David Williams
Thank You to Our Artists + Art Donors:
Alexis Bearinger
Selena Bender
Jazz Benitez
Charles Bonham
Amanda Bur
Carl Coons
Jean Cronin
Heather Deogracia
Natalie Dubé
Sarah Eckersley
Matthew Jacobson
Victoria Jendreetzke
Ozge Kaynan Akcal
Morgan Kulwicki
Michelle Marcotte
Lakyn Miller
Victoria Miller
Rocky Maldonado
Beth Nova
Asya Özkızılcık
Dacia Parker
Kristiina Pilnik
Mark Piotrowski
Lorie Servinski
Scarlett Simon
Annie Stout
Jordan Taylor
Kristianne Tefft
Laura Vosejpka
Kathy Wertz
Midland Center for the Arts Studio School
Thank You to Our Item + Experience Donors:
Ace Hardware
Asset Broker and Loans
Bavarian Inn Arcade
Be Alive
Belle Tire
Bonobo Winery Traverse City
Central Michigan University
Chateau Chantal Traverse City
Cudabeara Fine Art & Photo
Detroit Pistons
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Tigers
Dow
Erik Johnson Illustrator
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Frick’s
glo SKIN SPA
Great Lakes Loons
Ieuter Insurance Group
John Ball Zoo
John Rooy
Jordan Taylor, Matchbox Tattoo
Kehres Health & Chiropractic
LaLonde’s Market
Live Local Events
Maple Hill Nursery
Mari Vineyards Traverse City
Matt Smith
Medical Procedures Center & Aesthetic Care
Midland CAC Board
Midland Center for the Arts
Morley Photography
Private Stock Hobby Shop
Riverwalk Place
Saginaw Spirit
Salena Dodman Aesthetics
Santa Kevin
Selena Ashley Designs
Serendipity Road
Shanty Creek Resort Golf
State Theatre Bay City
Stitch N Chicks
Terri Purchase
The Mitt 100.9
Tri-City Santa
Three Bridges Distillery & Taproom
Three Rivers Corporation
What About Waffles
SAVE THE DATE: MAY 14th 2026
For involvement in the 2026 13th Annual Art + Advocacy event, send us a message or call 989-835-9922.
