This Week

Thursday

The Arthritis Foundation, Northeastern Ohio Chapter will host its 11th annual Red & White on Thursday Night from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the John S. Knight Center, 77 E. Mill St., Akron. Samples from more than 70 wineries and 20 restaurants. $75 in advance; $90 at the door; $125 for VIP pass. Call Anne Cunningham at 800-342-0746, Ext. 11.

The Lake Anna YMCA will host its annual Reverse Raffle at 6:30 p.m. at Guy's Party Centre, 500 E. Waterloo Road, Akron. $100 ticket includes one entry in raffle, buffet dinner for two and four beer/wine tickets. For reservations call Dave Incorvati, 330-753-7407; Mary Jo Goss, 330-848-2043; or Debbie Shreiner, 330-745-1929.

Friday

The Friends of Firestone (High School) Visual and Performing Arts will host a Celebration of the Arts from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St. Vegetarian refreshments, entertainment by the Firestone High School Madrigal Singers, String Quartet, Student and Graduate Jazz Combos and the Miller/Forfia Jazz Duo, plus a student art and theater exhibit. Tickets start at $30. Call Sally Childs at 330-873-3315 for reservations.

The Akron Area YMCA's Partners with Youth Campaign will benefit from the ''Friday @ 5'' silent and oral auction from 5 to 9 p.m. at Portage Country Club, 240 N. Portage Path, Akron. Items include trips, gift certificates, memorabilia and a Carpenter for a Day. Dinner and dessert buffet. $55 and up. 330-434-9622.

Friday-Saturday

Victory Gallop will benefit from the Jim Thomas Grand Slam tennis event Feb. 1-2 at Springside Racquet & Fitness Club, 215 Springside Drive, Bath Township. Pro-am and exhibition match, dinner and program Friday; clinics and a doubles exhibition Saturday. For information about events and ticket prices, call 330-666-0300.

Saturday

The Rotary Camp for Children With Disabilities will host its Chili Golf Open and Raffle beginning at 8 a.m. at Hale Farm and Village, 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath Township. Participants play nine holes on the frozen course, then warm up with chili and beverages, live entertainment, door prizes, raffle and more. 330-644-4512.

WITAN (Women in Touch with Akron's Needs) will host the 2008 WOW fundraising gala Vintage Vegas at 7:30 p.m. at Tangier, 532 W. Market St., Akron. Tickets start at $75. http://www.witaninfo.org.

The American Red Cross of Medina County will present its 11th Annual Chocolate Festival, For the Love of Chocolate, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Community Center, Medina County Fairgrounds, 735 Lafayette Road, Medina. Co-sponsored by J.M. Smucker Co., the event features chocolate samplings from more than 30 chocolatiers, CandyLand for the Kids, silent auction, raffle of chocolate items, bake sale and more. $5 for 5 samples, $10 for 10 samples. 877-441-4565 or http://www.medinaredcross.org.

The Cleveland International Film Festival will host a fundraiser, The Big Easy, 7 p.m. at River Gallery, 19056 Old Detroit Road, Rocky River. Mardi Gras party with wine, hors d'oeuvres and desserts. $35. 216-623-FILM, Ext. 10, or http://www.clevelandfilm.org.

Through February

The Kiwanis Club of Stow-Munroe Falls will run a Pick 3 Fundraiser based on the Ohio Lottery Pick 3 nightly drawings throughout February. $5 ticket gives the recipient 21 chances to win $50. Proceeds from the event will go to the organization's scholarship fund. Call Ron DeGrand at 330-688-2355.

Plan Ahead

The Hattie Larlham League of Hudson will hold its annual spring fashion show fundraiser from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Signature of Solon, 39000 Signature Drive. Live and silent auctions. $45-$100; all proceeds benefit Hattie Larlham. http://www.leagueofhudson.com.

St. Peter Chanel High School will host its annual Benefit Auction at 6 p.m. Feb. 9 at Executive Caterers of Landerhaven, 6111 Landerhaven Drive, Mayfield Heights. $75, includes open bar, dinner, entertainment, silent and live auctions. 440-232-5900, Ext. 145.

Inlet Dance Theatre will host a fundraising performance, The Heart of Inlet, at 2 p.m. Feb. 9 at Chagrin Falls Schools' Performing Arts Center, 400 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls. $30, individuals; $50, couple; children, free. For reservations, call 216-382-0201.

The Akron Chapter of the Christ Child Society will hold a School Days Reverse Raffle at 6 p.m. Feb. 9 at St. George Fellowship Centre, 3204 Ridgewood Road, Copley Township. Appetizers, buffet dinner, open bar, desserts, silent auction, $2 and $5 sideboards, reverse raffle and pop quizzes. Call Peg Klamert, 330-867-5529.

The Knights of Columbus will host a Knight at the Races from 6 to 11 p.m. Feb. 9 at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, 15 N. Maple St., Akron. Proceeds benefit Akron-area charities. For ticket information, call John Bryan, 330-836-2040, or Brian Walsh, 330-864-1242.

The Brecksville Center for the Arts will host Art From the Heart, a Valentine's Day-themed event, from 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Western Reserve Bank, 8751 Brecksville Road, Brecksville. $35. 440-526-6232.

The Friends of Akron Children's Hospital will hold its winter luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 12 at the Four Points Sheraton, 3150 W. Market St., Fairlawn. Call Vicki Parisi, 330-543-3825.

The American Heart Association will host its 2008 Heart Gala,Impressions of the Heart, at 6 p.m. Feb. 16 at Crowne Plaza Quaker Station, Broadway and East Mill Street, Akron. $150. 330-664-1903.

Actors' Summit will host For Your Love from 7 to 11 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Hudson Library and Historical Society, 22 Aurora St., Hudson. $125. 330-342-0800.

On Sale Now

Porthouse Theatre is offering Valentine's Day serenades in Summit County only. Vocal performers from the theater will deliver a love-song serenade, two gift subscriptions to the theater wrapped in red ribbon, a red rose and personal card from sender. Total package is $282. To schedule a serenade, call 330-672-3884.

Merits of all organizations have not been investigated by the Beacon Journal, so potential donors should verify the worthiness of a cause before committing.