Stewart’s Caring Place Celebrates Several Milestones at Annual Butterfly Gala
Akron, OH (Sept. 9, 2025) — Stewart’s Caring Place, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and families on their cancer journey, proudly celebrated several major milestones at its 22nd annual Butterfly Gala, held August 23 at a private residence in Richfield, Ohio.
This year’s gala held special significance as it marked the five-year anniversary of opening the organization’s stunning Fairlawn facility and celebrated the one-year anniversary of expanding services with a new location in Canton, further extending Stewart Caring Place’s reach and impact across Northeast Ohio. The event honored the 2025 Spirit Award winner, Joey Arrietta, founder of the Akron Racers and creator of Muffins for Mammograms®, a program offering free mammogram screenings to uninsured and underinsured individuals. Joey’s philanthropic commitment to women’s health, youth development, and community engagement through the Joey Arrietta Foundation has created a legacy of empowerment in Akron.
This sold-out fundraising event hosted more than 450 guests, raising critical funds for Stewart’s Caring Place, which serves 36 counties in Ohio without government funding. A highlight of the evening was an astounding $100,000 anonymous donation match — serving as a catalyst during the Raise the Paddle segment of the program.
“The Butterfly Gala is more than a fundraiser — it’s a reflection of the love and resilience that define our community,” said Sarah Vojtek, President & CEO of Stewart’s Caring Place. “This year’s event was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us in support of our mission and the families we serve.”
The gala encompassed an atmosphere of inspiration and unity, guided by event chairs and the evening’s emcees Brianna LaRose and Sarah Bokovitz, co-hosts of the popular Second Base podcast. Their passion for advocacy and community engagement, as well as their own personal cancer journeys, not only brought them together and inspired their podcast, but also led them to Stewart’s Caring Place. Bokovitz accredited Stewart’s for “continuing to show up” for her and helping her and her family to “pick up the pieces” during her cancer diagnosis. LaRose’s journey was also a transformative experience, saying that cancer “completely changes the trajectory of your life.” Despite the hardships LaRose experienced in life and throughout her treatments, she wants to extend a thank you to Stewart’s Caring Place “for being a safe place to rebuild after breaking.”
A heartfelt thank-you goes out to the gala’s committee, chairs, hosts, and all who helped make the evening a success. Stewart’s Caring Place is especially grateful to its Signature Sponsors — Acme Fresh Market Foundation/Albrecht Family Foundation, The Maynard Family Foundation, and Kathy & Andy Moock — and Premier Sponsor Mimi Surloff & Family, whose generous support played a pivotal role in the event’s impact.
