Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago Woman’s Board Annual Summer Ball Raises $2.1MM to Support Chicago Youth
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago Woman’s Board Annual Summer Ball Raises $2.1MM to Support Chicago Youth
Funding helps essential programs that provide safe spaces, mentorship and academic support for thousands of children and teens
CHICAGO – Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago’s Woman’s Board welcomed an enthusiastic crowd of 320 guests to its annual Summer Ball on Friday, May 30, an evening of celebration, generosity, and impact held at the award-winning Aba and the Dalcy. Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC) is a nonprofit dedicated to providing a safe and positive environment for thousands of city youth. Facing extraordinary challenges, Club youth live in underserved areas where they must overcome daily obstacles to achieve success. To help BGCC’s mission of empowering Chicago’s young people to reach their full potential, the event raised $2.1MM. This critical funding and the event’s overwhelming success can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of this year’s Summer Ball Co-Chairs, Kate Melman and Kelly Rosen Lagrange, as well as Woman's Board President Karen McEniry.
BGCC's Woman's Board 76th Annual Summer Ball, one of Chicago's longest-standing philanthropic events, featured a moving speech where four-year member Antonella shared positive experiences at her Club. She highlighted the sense of acceptance and community she feels at her Club, and credits it for her success both academically and as a leader and athlete at her school. Antonella was previously awarded one of the many significant scholarships provided by the Woman’s Board members, and she plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to study medicine with the hope of realizing her dream of becoming a kidney specialist.
Throughout the evening, guests were treated to an unforgettable experience featuring live jazz by the Arlen Music Jazz Quartess and an energetic afterparty with DJ Fred Matters. Culinary highlights included a signature Mediterranean “Mezze Feast” crafted by Aba and The Dalcy, followed by decadent take-home cookies by Beatrix and chocolates by Harry Winston, Inc. Among the evening’s notable guests were Giuliana and Bill Rancic, who made an exclusive appearance in support of the Woman’s Board and served as auctioneers for the live auction.
BGCC’s Woman’s Board 76th Summer Ball Featured Top-Tier Auction Items Including:
· A stunning Harry Winston Avenue C mini timepiece, donated by BGCC’s newest philanthropic partner, Harry Winston, Inc.
· A private “Diamond Dining” experience for 30 in the Cubs Clubhouse, hosted by Tom and Cece Ricketts of the Chicago Cubs and Kate and R.J. Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
· An exclusive private dinner for 20, personally prepared by celebrity chef Evan Funke at Tre Dita
· A once-in-a-lifetime trip to Singita, one of Africa's premier private game reserves in Kruger National Park, donated by Singita, with bespoke travel planning by Huffman Travel
· VIP experiences, including a Lady Gaga concert box, a Cubs/Brewers suite behind home plate, and a Day at Dior
The special evening was one of the most successful fundraising events in the organization’s history.
For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago and its programs, please visit bgcc.org.
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