Allison Rose Foundation “Founders Event”

The Allison Rose Foundation presented its inaugural 2019 Founders Event to a crowd of more than 550 people at the Embassy Suites in Independence.

The event, which raised $100,000 to change the lives of those living with severe food allergies, began with a VIP Happy Hour, featuring cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by live and silent auctions and raffles.

Guests were treated to a video presentation and speaker Dr. Sandra Hong, director of the new Food Allergy Center at the Cleveland Clinic.

Funds raised that evening will be used for educational platforms and scholarships, as well as awareness campaigns, research and continuous advocacy. The organization also aims to develop a curriculum targeting high school and college students that will educate and empower those with food allergies and their network and support systems.

Generosity displayed that evening also resulted in the creation of the Allison Rose Foundation Scholarship at Independence High School, which will be awarded to a graduating senior who exemplifies leadership, compassion and the ability to overcome challenges.

The mission of the organization, founded in November of 2018, is to change the lives of families living with food allergies through education, awareness and advocacy.

The organization is named for and created in honor of the late Allison (Ally) Rose Suhy, a native of Independence whose life ended tragically in November of 2017 as a result of an anaphylactic food allergy reaction.

Her family has vowed to find purpose in their tragedy, with the goal of decreasing and eliminating untimely deaths of children and young adults due to food allergies.

Lead sponsors for the Founders Event were Randy and Barbie Boroff, Gallagher Sharp and Cuyahoga Heights Fire Department Local 702 plus many other generous donors.

“It’s amazing when people can take a tragedy and turn it into something positive to help people out,” added Jim Riley, who served as emcee of the event. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY SUE REID