Philanthropist Michael Leppen and his aunt Miriam Hoover, who have both contributed to a wide range of mainstream and LGBT causes, hosted birthday benefits this past week. Hoover is turning 99, and Leppen 60. One benefit, at Minibar, contributed to a charity Leppen started many years ago to provide bears to patients (mostly children) in area hospitals. Operation Bear Hug is an outreach ministry of Bishop Anderson House. The second event, featuring lesbian singer Ann Hampton Callaway, benefitted the Center on Halsted and was held at the Hoover-Leppen Theatre at the Center. Pictured are Hoover, Leppen and Callaway. Photo by Hal Baim