Gowns and Downs to benefit the Pike County Health Fund

MILFORD - On Friday evening, May 5, more than 145 people gathered at the Riverview Inn for the third annual dinner-auction fundraiser to benefit the Pike County Health Fund. The black-tie dinner dance was part of the weekend’s events to be continued on Saturday with “Downs,” a Kentucky Derby soiree at the home of Trish and Greg Lutfy. According to Ed Raarup, one of the four co-chairs for Gowns and Downs, this year’s fundraiser took eight months of planning and received triple the sponsorship of previous years. The other three co-chairs, Joan Waldman, Ronnie Biondo, and Scott Eck were very pleased with the great community support. The auction took in $127,000, exceeding the organizers’ goal. The Pike County Health Fund will begin a new initiative this year with the first phase of an Adolescent Substance Abuse Program for Pike County families. Story and photos by Maya Lazarus