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Hundreds are expected to gather in early November for a festive evening full of revelry and some surprises, as Gilmore Jasion Mahler hosts Carnevale 2017, an Italian festival-style evening of celebration at Findlay’s Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

The event is November 3 from 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. and will feature music and live performers, Italian specialties from Chef Sam Fittante of the Bistro on Main, a live auction and some other surprises. All proceeds from the event and corporate sponsorships will go directly to Flag City Honor Flight, a nonprofit that bring Veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the memorials built to honor their service to our country. Last year’s Carnevale event raised over $42,000 and helped the nonprofit to pay for a second flight in 2017.

Corporate sponsorship helped make Carnevale 2016 a success and the same holds true for this year’s event. Many Carnevale corporate sponsors are back on board, including major sponsors Ohio Logistics and Rowmark. Huntington National Bank also came on board this year as a major sponsor.

“Community stewardship is a major core value of who we are as a company,” says Rowmark CEO and President Duane Jebbett. “We’ve seen the great work that Flag City Honor Flight does in recognizing and serving our Veterans. It is because of our Veterans we live in a free country, so Kathy and I are thrilled to support GJM in their effort to carry forward the Honor Flight Program locally. We didn’t hesitate to come on board as a Carnevale sponsor again this year.”

Ohio Logistics President and CEO Chuck Bills served as a Guardian on the June Honor Flight, escorting a Veteran to Washington, D.C. 

“Ohio Logistics is a proud supporter of Flag City Honor Flight,” says the company’s President and CEO Chuck Bills. “Carnevale is a wonderful way to show that support. Accompanying a Veteran on a flight this year makes it that much more special for me on a personal level. These men and women risked their lives for our country. It is an honor to do something for them.”

“We are proud to join Ohio Logistics and Rowmark as major sponsors for Carnevale 2017,” says Huntington National Bank’s Findlay Community President Daniel Kendrick. “For over 150 years Huntington has been committed to strong community involvement. “Our Veterans deserve our support and respect. This is a great way to show them how much we value their service to our country.”

Gilmore Jasion Mahler, with offices in Maumee and Findlay, established Carnevale in 2016 as a way to give back to the Findlay community. The firm worked with Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik to identify organizations in need of funding, and decided Flag City Honor Flight could greatly benefit from the financial support.

“There are so many Veterans left to serve in our area, not only in the Findlay-Hancock County region, but in the Toledo area, across Ohio and beyond,” says Flag City Honor Flight President Bob Weinberg. “We’re so grateful for the support from GJM and these generous sponsors. All Veterans should be allowed the opportunity to see the memorials built in their honor in our nation’s capital. Carnevale will help make that happen.”   

“We’re proud of what we accomplished with Carnevale in 2016. Community service is a core value for GJM,” says GJM Managing Partner Kevin Gilmore. “It’s amazing what can happen when a corporate community comes together to support an important cause.”

Last year's event raised over $42,000 for Flag City Honor Flight and helped to fund a second flight in 2017. GJM hopes to raise even more money this year for the nonprofit. The live auction is new this year at the event, and features "experience-focused" packages, including a fly fishing outing, a military experience package and a travel package featuring a 5-day trip to Italy.

Carnevale sponsorships are still available and tickets are on sale now.

Established in 1996, Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD is the largest public accounting firm in the region, with offices in Maumee and Findlay. Locally owned, GJM offers comprehensive financial services including assurance, business advisory, tax, risk advisory and healthcare management. GJM’s professionals specialize in industries including construction, real estate, healthcare, manufacturing/distribution and utilities.