75th Anniversary Gala, a night to remember: June 8, 2005

Thanks to Lora-Lee Hall, David Freitag, Patrick Patt, Julie Adams, and staff who helped put together a beautiful display -- and thanks to the wonderful auction items obtained through board members and the local community... Walking into Independence Grove, one couldn't help but be bedazzled by tables and tables of over 100 unique items.

 As the auction was winding down, John Callaway, Chicago's well-known commentator, sang a few favorite ballads (some of us might remember "Embraceable You") and then mingled with the crowd. There was a call for a delectable chicken dinner, catered by Independence Grove. Then Vic Carapella, our Board President, presented the three awards to Abbott Laboratories, our Corporate Partner of the Year, Betty Toser, Lake Forest YWCA President as our Community Partner of the Year, and Bill Braithwaite received the Distinguished Service Award.

After the awards ceremony, John Callaway gave his keynote address, offering a personal connection between his own trials as a young, poor journalist confronting a new city. He seemlessly connected his own experiences with receiving help from empathetic strangers to Family Service's mission -- a mission that calls for assisting individuals and families in the community, regardless of their financial situation.

The evening was more than any of us had hoped for, not only in terms of attendance and success of the silent auction. Staff, board members and friends, were overwhelmed by the warmth in the room that evening that came from celebrating 75 years of helping local citizens and families get through hard times and become healthier, stronger community members.

Thank you all for your participation and for making the gala a night to remember.

Special recognition to the following individuals and companies who supported this gala:

 Diamond - $20,000 and above

Abbott Laboratories

Platinum - $5,000 and above: Harris Bank and First Midwest Bank

Gold - $1,000 and above:  Advocate Health Care, Bill Braithwaite, Good Shepherd Hospital, Hollister, Lake Forest Bank, Mesirow Financial, Northern Trust and Loan,  Vic Carapella, Lora-Lee Hall, Ben Nelson, Patrick Patt, Bernie Schlifke, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Valeria Wolf

Ruby - $500 and above: Lexus of Highland Park, Richard Cortesi

Bronze - $25 to $499: Douglas and Nancy Bank, Mr. and Mrs. Mark H. Beaubein, Mr. and Mrs. James C. Cotting, Richard Cortesi, George T. and Beth Drost, Allyn J. Franke, Richard E. Friese, James Garnett, Susan F. Kahn, Mr. and Mrs. Sean Keighron, Mary K. Knight, Kim Madden, Arni Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Pepper, Susan L. Sickel, James and Carolyn Staune

Recognizing the Honorees

Abbott Laboratories- Over 18 years of grants and in-kind donations.  

Family Service recognizes Abbott Laboratories for its generous and continuous support of services to the community.  The Abbott Laboratories Fund has been an outstanding corporate partner since 1986. Since 2001, Abbott has been a consistent supporter of our Nuestro Center for Latino families. In addition to financial support, Abbott Laboratories has also loaned company Executives to serve on Family Service’s various Boards and often printed the agency’s Annual Report.

Lake Forest YWCA- 15 consecutive years of giving to our counseling programs and Nuestro Center.

Although the Board of the Lake Forest YWCA officially sold its property in 1960 and became “inactive,” the women of the Y held firm to their mission and began administering funds resulting from the sale of the building. Due to skillful investment, the funds have grown to provide a yearly income which the board has conscientiously allocated to a few chosen institutions that help local women and families in need such as Family Service of South Lake County.

Bill Braithwaite– volunteering with Family Service over the last 37 years, Bill Braithwaite has served in just about every volunteer position within the Family Service

Bill Braithwaite, was responsible for bringing Family Service to the Barrington Area in 1968 and remains strong in his commitment to our agency.  In addition to serving on the Barrington Board, Bill serves on Family Service’s Governing Board, a position he has held for the past 37 years. Currently, Bill is a member of the Governing Board’s Finance and Development Committees. He also serves on the Agency’s Corporate Advisory Board, a group of seasoned professionals who serve as a think tank for the agency.