SOLON, Ohio — On Friday, baseball fans and legends gathered for a sold-out luncheon that raised over $50,000 for Solon Community Living by honoring the 1995 season of the Cleveland Indians and legendary commentator Tom Hamilton.
After over ten years of planning, the nonprofit organization, which is headquartered in Solon, just launched its cutting-edge residential neighborhood for persons with developmental disabilities. In order to promote independence, safety, and enrichment, the $4 million building includes 14 individual, barrier-free dwellings, six caregiver suites, and a central clubhouse. In addition to two on-site resident helpers, the community presently has 15 inhabitants.
In an interview following the grand opening, cofounder Ara Bagdasarian discussed the importance of the initiative. He claimed that this community is proof of what can happen when supporters, families, and local authorities band together for a common goal. We built more than just houses. We created a model that can be used nationwide to raise the standard of living for people with impairments.
Held at Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights, Friday’s Championship Celebration Luncheon attracted 175 attendees for a sold-out event that combined baseball storytelling, nostalgia, and community impact. Sandy Alomar Jr., Jim Thome, Tom Hamilton, and Bob DiBiasio, the senior vice president of public affairs for the Cleveland Guardians, all made appearances at the event. A ballpark-style lunch, live and silent auctions, and video tributes honoring Hamilton’s recent Ford C. Frick Award as well as the 1995 World Series squad were all enjoyed by the guests.The luncheon’s proceeds will support Solon Community Living’s operations and activities.
Alomar has been a coach with the team for more than ten years. He was a six-time All-Star catcher who spent more than ten years in Cleveland and gave a standout performance as MVP in the 1997 All-Star Game. One of the most adored players in franchise history, Thome is a Hall of Fame slugger and the franchise’s home run leader. Hamilton, who has been the Tribe’s voice for over thirty years, is still the Guardians’ primary radio play-by-play commentator.
According to Bagdasarian, the unexpected in-person visit by Jim Thome and his wife, Andrea, was what really made the occasion unforgettable and thrilled all of the attendees. The event on Friday was incredibly remarkable and a huge success.
Later, Andrea Thome expressed her appreciation on social media. Listening to stories from the 1990s told by Bob DiBiasio, Sandy Alomar, Tom, and Jim was entertaining. She commented, “Thank you to everyone who supports this special place.”
Every visitor praised the experience, according to Bagdasarian, and the money donated will go directly toward helping Solon Community Living expand and remain sustainable as it moves from building to care.
