Winter was just a little warmer and much sweeter for women all over Genesee County on Saturday February 8 after they attended the ninth annual Wine Women & Chocolate, a fundraiser of IMA Recreation Association and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint. And the guys weren’t left out in the cold as the second annual Burgers Brews & Dudes event was held that same weekend. Both fun-filled fundraisers were held at IMA Brookwood Golf Club in Burton. “It was a huge success!” exclaimed Diane Wojciechowski, Marketing Director for the IMA Recreation Association. Overall, the events raised approximately $14,000. “It was lots and lots of fun,” she added.
Burgers, Brews & Dudes, a men’s-only event, featured a build-your-own-burger bar sponsored by Freakin’ Unbelievable Burgers, a beer tasting provided by The Red Baron in Burton, and an outdoor cigar tent sponsored by Sunrise Coast Cigars. Diane said the men especially enjoyed the complimentary hot-towel shaves, donated by The Lodge. Sponsors of the overall event were First Merit Bank, Consumers Energy and Dan Smith, President of the IMA Recreation Association. Diane was happy that attendance doubled from last year, with approximately 100 men having a guys’ night out for a worthy cause.
Wine, Women & Chocolate kicked off with a full afternoon of activity including a walk, snowshoe or cross-country ski on the 5K trail through IMA Brookwood Golf Club. Approximately 200 women participated. Cross-country skis and snowshoes were generously provided by Shumaker’s Ski & Snowboard Shop. “The women really enjoyed the outdoor activities,” says Diane. “We had so much snow; the weather really cooperated this year!” Puzzler’s Pub provided great hospitality with five tents on the golf course where hot chocolate, coffee, teas, cookies, soup, bread and chocolate were served! Following their exhilarating cold-weather activities, the women were pampered with chair massages, manicures, paraffin treatments, hair refreshers, make-up tips and more donated by local businesses including Escape Salon, Flint School of Therapeutic Massage and Swan Chiropractic Services. Making the gals’ night out complete were a special wine tasting, more treats and a decadent dessert buffet prepared by IMA Brookwood chef, Maria Labrecque and her talented staff. The overall event was sponsored by First Merit Bank, Shumaker’s Ski & Snowboard Shop, ELGA Credit Union, Drs. Bobby & Nita Mukkamala, Rowe Professional Services Co. and Middlebrooks Enterprise, Inc., MTA, Teachout Security, Hantz Financial and Sohn Linen. “We appreciate the support of our title sponsor First Merit Bank and all of the others who helped make this a huge success,” says Diane.
PHOTOS BY NAARAH MYERS AND MICHAEL GLEASON
