Over 11,000 members belong to the Columbus Young Professionals Club and with this year marking the fifth annual 'A Date 2 Remember' young professional date auction and fashion show, it’s sure to be another hit; especially with my Columbus Socialite of the Week emceeing, along with another local on-air personality Dan Stover.
'A Date 2 Remember' is the cream-of-the-crop in the young professional, social-fundraising world, as it’s a great experience for the Columbus community and local businesses.
The event includes a live date auction with a fashion show - all for charity! The CYP CLUB donates 100% of event proceeds from 'A Date 2 Remember' to two local charities every year. For 2012, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Flying Horse Farms will be the charity beneficiaries.
In 2011, nearly 1,000 people attended the event which raised over $40,000 for charity. Over the past five years, this event has raised more than $100,000 for local charities!
This year's event will be held at the LC Pavilion (405 Neil Avenue) with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. followed by a cocktail hour featuring scrumptious appetizers and desserts donated by local restaurants (such as Due Amici, The Refectory, Mazah, Fado Irish Pub, Jeni's Ice Cream, Cookie Cravings and more), a beer sampling booth sponsored by Anheuser-Busch, gin and vodka tastings sponsored by Watershed Distillery, red carpet-style photos and other exciting surprises from 7-8 p.m. Attire is cocktail or 'dressy casual' (no jeans). The fashion show will begin at 8 p.m. and whom will kick off the event you ask...
She joined WBNS-10TV in June 2010 after coming from Dayton, where she was an award-winning reporter and part- time anchor at WHIO-TV (which I happened to meet back in 2007 while working at my previous job!).
She graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, with undergraduate degrees in Middle Eastern studies and music, and a minor in Arabic. She also studied at the Lebanese American University in Lebanon. After spending four years in college preparing to be a medical doctor, she ended up working for six years at CNN where she was part of several award-winning teams covering both the War in Iraq and Hurricane Katrina.
She is an amazing person and quite talented! She sings opera, speaks Arabic and French and is an all-around gem to have in Columbus! So what does she love about this city?
GETTING TO KNOW...DANIELLE ELIAS
DE: There are so many fantastic things to do in the city. I can't just pick one. I love the experience of dining out, uncovering new hidden gems and sharing the experience with friends (preferably on a warm summer evening). The concert scene is amazing... both local and national touring acts spending plenty of time in and around Columbus. In the daytime, a bike ride along the trails is unparalleled!
Miss C.S. - Favorite Restaurant in the City:
DE: So tough to narrow it down. I'm a big supporter of the downtown experience, whether it's Rossi for a casual, upscale meal or Lindey's for a white tablecloth experience or Basi Italia to whisk me away to Italy. I could go on and on....
Miss C.S. - Favorite Hidden Gem:
DE: If you haven't discovered DeNovo yet, it's worth a try. It's right across the street from the new Columbus Commons in the heart of downtown. It has a fantastic menu and great decor! Definitely worth a try for lunch, dinner and brunch! I also love the new 'local store' at Easton (CELEBRATE LOCAL). It's fun for people, who live outside of the city to cherish all the region has to offer!
Miss C.S. - Favorite Shop/Store:
DE: One walk up and down High Street in the Short North will give a glimpse into my local favorites...Rowe, Milk Bar, National Jean Co, Voodoo Denim...plenty of great places to choose from that locally owned, run and operated.
Miss C.S. - Best Party, Event or Scene in the City:
DE: That's easy... 'A Date 2 Remember'! What a great event, packed with so many young professional people, raising money for a great cause!
Miss C.S.. – Favorite local celebrity:
DE: Brutus Buckeye! O-H...
Miss C.S. - Best Quality of a Person:
DE: Humble confidence and a warm smile
Miss C.S. – How long have you been in central Ohio:
DE: I've been in parts of Ohio my entire life, but I've lived in central Ohio almost 2 years and loving it!
Miss C.S. – What’s your favorite part of your job:
DE: Every day is a new experience! I meet new people, delve into new topics and explore new parts of the state. It definitely keeps me on my toes.
Miss C.S. – If you weren’t a reporter, what would you love to do:
DE: Interestingly enough, I went to college all 4 years to be a medical doctor! Had I continued to med school, I'd be Dr. Elias by now. Other than that, I'd love to be in a rock band touring the world!
Miss C.S. – You’ve been emceeing Columbus Young Professionals Club’s top fundraiser, ‘A Date to Remember’ for a couple years. What’s the best part of the event your eyes?
DE: I love the fact that it brings together so many great people for such a great cause...and we have fun while doing it! Everyone participating and attending the event has such a special energy. It's something to experience for yourself!
Miss C.S. – Tell us more about the event and why people attend this Saturday:
DE: Just imagine...nearly 1,000 excited people, packing the LC in anticipation of incredible packages to bid on. This unique event is months in the making people and the dates do a great job bringing in top dollar all of which goes to charity! Not to mention, there are dozens of local restaurants and clothing stores pitching in to make this event a success!
Miss C.S. – Are you involved with any other nonprofits organizations? If so, which one ones and why:
DE: I'm thankful my job allows me the opportunity to be involved in many organizations around town. I truly enjoy being able to give back to the community and help people in need, any way I can.
Miss C.S. – What is one thing people may not know about you:
DE: I sing opera! In high school, I combined my passions and sang the National Anthem twice for the Baltimore Orioles. This was during Cal Ripken Jr. era...which, for any Washingtonian is an awesome experience!
Miss C.S. - Finish the sentence, “If I could do anything in the World, I would...”
DE: ...end world poverty and hunger. A lofty goal, huh.
Miss C.S. – Why Columbus ? (live, work, play – you name it)
DE: Yes! Columbus is a fantastic city to live, work and play! I'm continually in awe of everything it has to offer and all of the amazing people who live here!
Miss C.S. - In ONE word, a Columbus Socialite is:
DE: Fantastic
Thank you Danielle for your time and have a great night emceeing at ‘A Date 2 Remember’! For more information on the event, please visit www.date2remember.org and be sure to check out photos from last year's event provided by Danielle.
Eventing off,
Miss C.S.
