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| | 19th Annual Harvest Gala
Harvest Gala generates support for disadvantaged children and families  Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois (LCFS) held their 19th Annual Harvest Gala on Saturday, October 25th at the Mid-America Club in downtown Chicago. Nearly 300 attendees came out in support of the event and helped to raise over $179,000 for LCFS’ Annual Fund, programs and services.
“We gathered to celebrate the many achievements of LCFS as a social ministry agency that is committed to bringing new life to people who are often facing crisis in their lives,” said Gene Svebakken, LCFS President and CEO.  The proceeds from the event will go towards LCFS’ Annual Fund and programs in Northern Illinois such as adoption, foster care, Lutherbrook Child and Adolescent Center, counseling, food and clothing distribution and a variety of other community services. The evening also included a special initiative appeal where proceeds were collected to directly support the beautification of the group homes of the 15 to 18 year old boys and girls living at Lutherbrook in Addison through the installation of all new flooring, as well as bedroom and bathroom doors.
The special guest speakers at the Harvest Gala were LCFS Foster Parents who spoke about the importance of the work being done through the Agency to help children in need. Attendees were also able to enjoy spectacular views of Chicago from the top of the Aon Center, delicious food and amazing auction items such as tickets to the 2009 Grammy Awards and a ‘Chef for a Day’ experience with Charlie Trotter. The evening included live music by Chicago-based jazz singer Elaine Dame with accompaniment by the Marshall Venti Group as well.  “The Harvest Gala could not be a success without our faithful corporate and individual donors,” explained Phillip Jiménez, LCFS Director of Development. “Their generosity and support to the agency allow us to provide love, compassion and hope to those in need of help.”
The event was co-underwritten by Heartland Business Systems in Downers Grove and Interact Business Products out of Wood Dale. Other major sponsors included Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Zoom Graphics, Inc., Park National Bank, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Mutual of America, Chicago Wealth Management, Eclipse Mailing Services, Forest Park National Bank & Trust Co., JPMorgan Chase Bank, Staub Anderson Green, LLC, Northeast and Southeast DuPage County Chapters of Thrivent, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart Stores in Bloomingdale, Crestwood, Niles and Northlake. Click Here for a complete list. Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois is a non-profit social ministry organization serving over 35,000 individuals on an annual basis with programs such as foster care, adoption, counseling, residential treatment and a variety of community services. Their mission is to attract, develop, mobilize and provide resources to improve the well-being of children, individuals, families, congregations and communities so that their lives are improved.
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Save the Date 20th Annual Harvest Gala October 24, 2009 |