Jewish Family Services to Host Live Laugh Give Comedy Night Again This Year
What do you get when you combine a funny Jewish comedian and a great show with a VIP experience, live auction, and raffle prizes? Jewish Family Services’ Live Laugh Give Comedy Night. When asked what inspired JFS to start this event, Howard Olshansky, JFS Executive Director responded, “There are three things that bring people together for a good cause: laughter, prizes, and good food. We happen to have all three at our event.”
This year’s event will be held on Sunday, June 2 at Temple Beth El. The headliner for the evening is comedian Orny Adams, best known for his abundant energy, his many appearances on late night television and his role as Coach Bobby Finstock on the TV show Teen Wolf. After last year’s success, returning co-chairs, Suzy Catennazo and Andrea Cronson weigh in about last year’s fundraiser.
JFS: Tell me about your experience with the Live Laugh Give Comedy Night.
Suzy Catenazzo: Our goal is to provide a unique opportunity for entertainment while supporting a great cause. The entire event, from the food and drinks at the cocktail reception to the hilarious comedy show was so much fun. My favorite part was watching a packed house of people all coming together and laughing together.
Andrea Cronson: Laughing helps when times are rough. I think comedy is a good pairing for our fundraiser. Comedians make jokes about us, so we can laugh at ourselves and feel good doing it.
JFS: Why do you feel supporting the Live Laugh Give Comedy Night is important?
Suzy Catenazzo: I got involved with JFS because I believe they play such an important role. They provides social services that are easily accessible, serving people of all ages. This event, especially with the auction and call to the heart gave people the opportunity to show how important JFS is to this them.
Andrea Cronson: I think we all want to help our fellow human beings. We all run into difficulties from time to time and it’s important to have a safety net and that’s what JFS is, a safety net to so many people.
One of the many highlights of the event was the auction. With only three items to bid on the bidding was competitive.
Royal Hideaway Playacar and Mann Travels offered a threenight four-day stay at a five-star resort in the Riviera Maya. Wendy and Adam Petricoff won.
JFS: Tell us about the trip.
Wendy Petricoff: My husband bought the trip, not only to get away but because he knows JFS is my favorite charity. I just love the way JFS supports the community. The trip was so relaxing. The property was beautiful and our room was top notch; beautifully appointed.
Snap Av donated a SunBrite 43” 4K UHD Outdoor TV with an all-weather soundbar. Joel Pace won.
JFS: Tell us about your winnings.
Joel Pace: I was determined to win this prize. It’s great. Works beautifully. The event was amazing. From the time you got there until the time you left everything was great.
The Eat-Play-Stay Uptown: The Ritz Carlton, Blumenthal Theatre of Performing Arts, and Ciderworks.
JFS: Tell us about your experience.
Mason Sklut: We went with the some friends on the tour of the Cider Brewery and had a really nice time. It had that brewery vibe; open, rustic, lots of board games. It was interesting to see how the cider is made. The Book of Mormon was hilarious and had us in tears. We are looking forward to getting some R&R at our upcoming stay at the Ritz.
According to JFS Development Manager Susan Meyer, the committee has been working diligently and putting the final touches on this year’s auction items. “There was so much enthusiasm generated around stepping up packages we even added one more,” Meyer said. “We can’t wait to see how our guests respond.” This year’s items include a Comedy Zone Golden Ticket Package, a stay at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, a one-year membership to Scout and Cellar wine club, and through Mann Travels, a vacation at Royal Hideaway Playacar in Riviera Maya.
Tickets are on sale now for the Live Laugh Give Comedy Night, benefitting Jewish Family Services. To select which experience you would like and pre-purchase raffle tickets, go to jfscharlotte. org.