Daily briefs

Hope House benefit auction scheduled FINDLAY — The Hope House annual benefit auction "The Hands of Time" will be held Friday, April 17, at the Hancock Hotel, 631 S. Main St., Findlay. The presenting sponsor is Hancock Federal Credit Union. The keynote speaker will be Sr. Karen Elliott, who was instrumental in the creation of Hope House, and in particular the Transitional Shelter for women and women with children. In addition to an array of auction items, there will be several raffles with prizes including a chance to win $1,000, a pellet grill and tickets to see Bruno Mars. Live auction packages include a gourmet dinner prepared and served in your home, bourbon tasting with a local connoisseur, a luxury stay at the Hancock Hotel and original artwork made by Hope House residents and volunteers. Online bidding will be available for silent auction items. All auction packages can be viewed at https://fhhfth2026.ggo.bid prior to the evening's festivities. Proceeds benefit the programs and services of Hope House and the Hope House Transitional Shelter. Tickets are $100, or a table of 8 for $750, and can be purchased online at https://findlayhopehouse.ejoineme.org/ba2026. Tickets include one complimentary beverage. Heavy appetizers will also be served. Attire is business casual. For more information, contact Laurie Poland, Hope House development director, at 419-427-2848 or lpoland@findlayhopehouse.org. UF Day of Giving is March 19 FINDLAY — University of Findlay alumni, friends, faculty, staff, students and community members will celebrate the university's annual Day of Giving Thursday, March 19. This year's philanthropic event highlights how gifts to UF impact Oiler students by fueling their success and providing cutting-edge facilities, labs and experiential learning, a release from the university states. Last year, 580 donors made gifts totaling $220,766 during the Day of Giving celebration, surpassing the goal of 500 donors, said Madelynn Strayer '21, UF director of annual giving. Donations can be made online at dayofgiving.findlay.edu. All gifts are tax-deductible. Equestrian fundraiser planned FINDLAY — Challenged Champions Equestrian Center is hosting Mimosas, Manes & Mic Drops from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 14 at Alexandria's. The fundraising event will feature a brunch, sing-a-longs and raffles. Former local named chief creative officer for Cleveland company CLEVELAND — Stephanie Burris, former Findlay resident, was appointed chief creative officer at Marcus Thomas, a Cleveland-based integrated marketing communications agency. Burris brings 20 years of experience to the role, 11 with Marcus Thomas, having led creative strategy for some of the agency's largest clients, including Dexcom, Festival Foods, Vitamix and Akron Children's Hospital. Under her direction, the work has earned accolades such as ADDY Awards, Communication Arts Awards of Excellence, Radio Mercury Awards and more. As a creative leader, Burris masters the art of blending empathy, insight and inventive storytelling and brings a clear, grounding perspective to clients' biggest creative challenges – from global brand campaigns to Super Bowl spots. Burris has served on multiple awards juries, including the ADDYs, ANA REGGIE Awards and the Effie U.S. Awards Final Round Jury, among others. She was recognized for her early achievements in advertising as the inaugural recipient of the David L. Stashower Visionary Award from the American Advertising Federation – Cleveland. She is a passionate, longtime member of the Board of Directors for Shoes and Clothes for Kids and was awarded the organization's highest honor, the Morrie Sayre Award for Outstanding Volunteerism.