4th annual event raises nearly $54,000 to further Lighthouse’s mission

Guests mingled and danced the night away in the dimly lit and lavishly furnished former Stanley Kresge estate during Lighthouse’s 4th annual Rent Party on June 1 – and it was a party with a purpose! The evening of food, drinks, and live music in the Arden Park-East Boston Edison Historic District helped raise nearly $54,000 to fight homelesness and poverty in Oakland County.

“I always look forward to The Rent Party, not just because it’s one of the best parties of the year, but because the cause is so incredibly important,” says Paddy Lynch, owner of the Kresge Mansion and the party’s host. “Lighthouse does so much for so many people in our community. I’m lucky and proud that my home gets to be part of such a special mission.”

Assisting those who are struggling is what Lighthouse is all about. By addressing basic needs such as food, shelter, and transportation, Lighthouse is able to help individuals and families regain self-sufficiency.

To date, The Rent Party has helped raise more than $200,000 to provide emergency shelter, rental assistance, follow-up care and other programs for our neighbors in need. According to the most recent statistics – more than 69-thousand people in Michigan experienced homelessness last year – 30 percent or 19-thousand, right here in metro Detroit.

The idea behind the Rent Party stems from an historic tradition dating back to the 1920’s in Harlem when people hosted parties in their homes to raise money for rent. These parties were also significant in the development of jazz and blues.

This 2019 version of a Rent Party showcased Detroit’s own jazz and blues scene including swing band Planet D Nonet, jazz pianist and producer Ian Finklestein, and jazz trio Audio Birds on the event’s VIP stage, with three other jazz stages throughout the party. Huel Perkins and Monica Gayle from Fox 2 News served as emcees and John Penney, host of JazzFest Detroit on WRCJ, 90.9 FM, introduced the musical performers.

VIP guests took advantage of exclusive pre-party mansion tours, and MSU Extension provided VIP guests with music from MSU’s Community Music School-Detroit, Spartan Youth Jazz Quartet.

A delectable strolling dinner was provided by Zingerman’s, Flowers of Vietnam, Miss Kim, Frita Batidos, Chef Kieron Hales, Aunt Nee’s, Nino Salvaggio and Empowerment Church. Atwater Brewery and Two James Liquor supplied drinks for the party’s open bar.

“It’s an important cause and a unique place with lots of interesting people,” says party guest Emily Bernstein, owner of Detroit based vintage boutique The Velvet Tower. “It’s a fun night of food, music and dancing that goes to support the people in need in our community.”

Thank you to this year’s event sponsors: St. John Providence/Ascension, Chemical Bank and RE/MAX and entertainment sponsors: Ethos Development Partners, Dirty Dog Jazz Café, Atomic Object, PNC Bank, O’Brien Construction Company, and Richard and Carol Lewnau.

Learn more about Lighthouse and how you can get involved at: https://lighthousemi.org/how-to-help/