Amy Havelka, Elise Yun, Michelle Carrillo, Becca Sundal and Laura Mamer

It isn’t summer without the Sunflower.
The 14th annual Sunflower Wine Festival drew a crowd of more than 2,000 party goers to the Old Detroit area of Rocky River for an evening of family fun, live music and food.
The festival benefits the Prayers from Maria Children’s Cancer Foundation dedicated to funding global research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for deadly childhood brain tumors. In 2007, Megan and Ed McNamara lost their seven-year-old daughter Maria to a brain tumor. Since the McNamaras started Prayers from Maria Foundation, they have raised more than $12 million to support its mission. The foundation has an impressive medical board that consists of some of the best doctors in the country for this disease.

Heather Mowinski with Kylie and Chrystal Legan

Because childhood brain tumor research is grossly underfunded, the McNamara family is diligently working to make a difference by raising public awareness and bringing hope to children and their families who are affected by this disease.
This year’s Sunflower Wine Festival, with wine and craft beer gardens, raised an additional $100,000 and was supported by more than 500 community volunteers. Live music for the event was provided by Ed Purcell, Sunset Strip and Medusa. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN