“100 and Growing” 2025 Benefit Dinner

Thanks to our generous donors, the “100 and Growing” 2025 Benefit Dinner was a big success. Our theme was inspired by surpassing the 100 Entrepreneurs milestone in July of this year. Our team accomplished this in only 4 years after IDEAME was launched. Even more amazingly, co-founder Meysie Lopez, Honduras Director of Programs, was the only staff member until October of 2023!

Thanks be to God we had a significant increase in table sponsorships that translated into a 25% increase in net income! The dinner included authentic Honduran dishes prepared by volunteers from Mi Bella Honduras restaurant, and desserts by Victoria Sawicki.

Program highlights included a video history of IDEAME, entrepreneur testimonies, a presentation by Chairman, Bob Sawicki, and a video presentation by Meysie in English. The silent auction offered a good variety of handmade items by our own entrepreneurs in addition to trendy items and donations from local members. Thanks to Doug Neal and his live auction skills, the evening included plenty of laughter and good competitive fun as donors sought to outbid each other.

Our second annual Make a Difference Award was presented to St. Timothy Lutheran Church for their sacrificial support from IDEAME’s humble beginings and every year since. Their time, talents and resources have made a significant impact on our success. The Award was presented to Sr. Pastor Brad Jurischk on behalf of the entire congregation.

As always, there are more volunteers than we can name here, but we are especially grateful to our event Committee, to kitchen coordinators Denys Wells and Ludy Biggs, to the volunteer server team from area high schools and to St. Timothy for providing the facility and the dinner expenses.