On Saturday, May 8, JDRF Southern & Central Ohio will host its annual Cincinnatian of the Year Gala, this year with an “at home” concept, featuring party kits in the “Back to the 80’s” theme; a fully catered meal courtesy of Jeff Thomas; 80’s-inspired virtual escape room; spirits from Heidelberg Distributing, including a custom “Razzle Dazzle” cocktail kit by local bartender LaToya Jackson; and much more! Local 12’s Bob Herzog will serve as virtual emcee, along with his counterpart Angela An of 10TV in Columbus, and JDRF Executive Director Melissa Newman promises “not just another Zoom meeting”, but rather an immersive, curated experience that will delight. The gala will honor Liza and Albert Smitherman of Jostin Construction as the Cincinnatians of the Year, and Susan Mustian as the Cynthia Marver Marmer Volunteer of the Year. The event will also feature a virtual auction, and Once in a Lifetime Bourbon Raffle, both of which are open to the public and available at www.jdrfauction.org. JDRF hopes to return the event, which raises over $1M annually to fund research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes, to an in-person experience in 2022.