By Connie Ballenger

September 26, 2023, was a fantastic evening for 103 people. They did not need to cook dinner or eat leftovers. The meals they ate in the Spirit Center or carried out tasted delicious. And, by buying $25 dinners supplied and cooked by Outback Steakhouse at Long Gate Shopping Center, they supported the American Cancer Society.

Glen Mar’s Angels for a Cure raised more than $1,300 through this fundraiser. Donations accounted for $125 of the total.

Sirloin steak and chicken smothered with barbecue, macaroni and cheese, Caesar salad, and bread and butter were on the menu. Outback employees Heather Ronning, Janet Sev, and Krystal Ngo brought and served the dinners that were kept hot over chafing dishes.

Diners briefly celebrated a blessed event at the dinner. Heather Ronning, who helped coordinate the event, had a baby son in July, and this was her first in-person return to work since giving birth. The Angels presented Heather a blue hand-knit baby blanket made by Fayette Stewart, a member of Dancing Needles, a Glen Mar group that knits and crochets prayer shawls, baby blankets, and scarves to give away.

Angels for a Care is a Glen Mar team associated with Relay For Life of Baltimore and Howard counties. The Relay For Life movement is dedicated to helping communities attack cancer through providing funds to the American Cancer Society and raising awareness of cancer prevention measures.

Glen Mar’s Angels are Jeffrey Adams, Connie Ballenger (team captain), David Costello, Diane Costello, Lois Hildebrand, Mary McKay, Cindy Nicodemus, Jeanne Odermatt, and Joy Piersall.

“We are grateful to Outback Steakhouse for offering us this delightful way to fund-raise for the fourth year and for doing a super job preparing the delicious dinners and executing this event,” said Connie Ballenger.