Grief Center Celebrates 20 Years of Hope with Nearly 1,000 Guests at Downtown Hilton

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (March 10, 2023) – Grief center Cornerstone of Hope recently broke an organization record at its 20^th Annual Gala held on February 25^th at the Hilton Downtown Cleveland. The annual fundraiser was the largest ever in the organization’s history, surpassing one million dollars in revenue with nearly 1,000 guests in attendance, including local and state government officials.

Each year the Annual Gala provides financial breath to the organization and generates a significant source of operating revenue for Cornerstone of Hope to continue providing the critical support needed for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Since opening its doors in 2003, Cornerstone of hope has served over 50,000 grieving individuals, memorialized tens of thousands of loved ones through memorial events, and provided professional continuing education on grief and trauma to thousands of social workers, counselors and health care professionals throughout Ohio.

“My wife Christi and I are completely overwhelmed by the support Cornerstone of Hope received at our 20^th Anniversary celebration. Words cannot even express the gratitude we feel toward our guests because of their incredible generosity. One way to show our appreciation is to continue to grow our programs so that more grieving individuals and families can be served through a variety of our services. We have a responsibility to our donors and our clients to be good stewards of all the received gifts from our Gala,” shared Mark Tripodi, CEO and Founder.

In celebration of 20 Years of Hope serving grieving children, teens and adults throughout Ohio, this year’s Gala included a raffle drawing of a Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend, announced via Facebook Live as well as expanded live and silent auctions, raffles and entertainment.

Presented by Premier Truck Sales and Rental, Inc., Kim & Joey Lojek, highlights of this year’s Gala included a beautiful memorial ceremony with music by Taylor Tripodi, and moving testimony from Lindsay & Ben Baran, who received support services from Cornerstone of Hope after the tragic death of their son, Vincent, in 2020.

Other evening highlights included the honoring of JR and Jay Lucarelli as the 2023 Champions of Hope and appearances from Mayor Justin Bibb and Representative Tom Patton; Congressman Max Miller; State Treasurer Robert Sprague; Cuyahoga Heights Councilman Renato Contipelli, and City of Independence Mayor Greg Kurtz. Cornerstone of Hope Board Members Nathan Zegura (radio analyst of the Cleveland Browns) and Kodi Pride (founder of Lorelle F.A.I.T.H. Foundation) emceed the evening’s festivities.

Cornerstone of Hope is a nonprofit bereavement support center that has served Ohio communities since 2003. Cornerstone of Hope provides support, education, and hope to grieving children, teens and adults.  Christian counseling services, support groups, youth grief camps, and professional trainings are conducted by licensed clinicians who have extensive experience working with grief and trauma. All of Cornerstone’s support services are offered at an affordable cost. For more information and contact details for each office location, visitcornerstoneofhope.org.

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