More than 50 years ago, Dick Ruff had a dream ­– to create an organization that would provide recreational activities for people with disabilities and health concerns. Today, his dream lives on in Recreation Unlimited, which hosted its 6^th annual Celebrity Sports Gala fundraiser on June 17 at Huntington Park.

 
Recreation Unlimited Foundation Vice Chair, Ginni Ragan and Paul Huttlin are pleased with the live auction results.

The Celebrity Sports Gala is one of the organization’s three major fundraising events of the year. And Ruff would have been proud of the results.

The event raised close to $150,000, and about 330 people attended, says Paul Huttlin, executive director and CEO of the Recreation Unlimited Foundation. “People were very, very pleased with the event and had a great time.”

This year, the event featured the Columbus Clippers and General Manager Ken Schnacke. In the past, galas have been held at Nationwide Arena and the Crew Stadium and have involved the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Columbus Crew.

“What we try to do at the event is go with a sports theme. We like to either feature an individual or a team,” Huttlin says.

 

The Rick Brunetto Big band, providing entertainment for the evening

The event also included silent and live auctions, a performance by the Rick Brunetto Big Band and a raffle. Those who purchased raffle tickets were granted access to the field for batting practice.

For Huttlin, it is important to create a fun experience for attendees.

“You want people to have a great time because there are so many fundraising events out there,” he says. “The economy is hurting all charities, and we have seen our event sponsorships go down.”

 

Volunteers Stacie Rease and Frank Rease sharing a special moment.

Although the organization has experienced more financial success at past events, this year’s gala raised 32 percent more than last year’s, Huttlin says. He attributes this year’s success, in part, to the “quality” venue and good weather.

The event also honored Rick Germain with the Jimmy Crum Award, presented to someone who has supported Recreation Unlimited and its mission to “provide year-round programs in sports, recreation and education for individuals with disabilities and health concerns,” according to the organization’s Web site.

“He [Germain] is always very active by coming to board meetings, helping to solicit sponsorships for events, and also coming to Recreation Unlimited and spending time interacting with our campers,” Huttlin says. “He has given a lot of support to our organization, both financially and through his time and effort.”

 

The Rick Germain Family with camper Amber Salsburey in the middle and mom, Barbie Salsburey upper right, celebrate Rick receiving the Jimmy Crum award.

In 2009, Recreation Unlimited helped create recreational opportunities for more than 3,700 individuals with disabilities and health concerns through programs on its 195-acre campus, Huttlin says. Camps and programs are open to multiple disability groups and serve individuals age 5 to adult.

Paul Huttlin, Executive Director & CEO Recreation Unlimited Foundation, Rick Germain, the Jimmy Crum Award Recipient, and Dan Swartz and Mark Thompson from Lexus Central Area, present Recreation Unlimited with $!0,000 to create the Rick Germain Music program at Recreation Unlimited.