Friends of the Drexel Holds Successful Gala Event

The Friends of the Drexel, Inc. celebrated the history of independent film and the Drexel Theatre at the 2011 Drexel Gala on Sunday, September 18. Organized by a committee of volunteers and co-chaired by Janet Helgeson and Bonnie Milenthal, the event raised funds to benefit the theatre's future and honor Robert Lazarus, Jr., one of the founding board members of Friends of the Drexel, Inc., with the first annual Drexel Hero Award.

Richard Stoff, Chairman of the Board of Friends of the Drexel, Inc., presented Lazarus with an original artwork depicting the iconic Drexel marquee by Columbus artist Amanda Cook. "It was a joy to recognize such a selfless leader and class guy as Bob Lazarus," said Stoff. "Both he and the Drexel are vital to our community."

The Drexel Hero Award was created to acknowledge the contributions of individuals for their support of the Drexel Theatre and independent film in the community. Lazarus was selected due to his long-standing and passionate support of the Drexel Theatre and his instrumental leadership in establishing Friends of the Drexel, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to the securing and sustaining a successful future for the Drexel Theatre.

Catering services were donated by Parkhurst Catering at Capital University. Food and spirits were donated by more than a dozen Bexley restaurants and Heidelberg Distributing.

About Drexel Theatre, Inc.
For generations, the Drexel Theatre has been central Ohio's first source for independent film and the best of Hollywood and international cinema, striving to specialize in simply the best films from around the world.

About Friends of the Drexel, Inc.
Established in late 2009 by a group of committed community leaders and arts patrons, Friends of the Drexel, Inc. is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to a more creative and prosperous future for the Drexel Theatre. Its mission is to secure and sustain the future of the historic Drexel Theatre as a distinctive cultural asset to Bexley and the greater Columbus community. It envisions the Drexel as a sustainable provider of unique arts content as well as a vibrant community meeting place that preserves the charm and eclectic, neighborhood film-going experience in a warm and inviting, yet technologically-advanced, facility.

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