Spring Benefit

Preludes of Hope

Connections for the Homeless held its annual fundraising gala, The Spring Benefit-Preludes of Hope, on Friday, April 11, 2003. The event was held at the Omni Orrington in Evanston and raised $42,000 for services benefiting homeless individuals and families in our area.

The Kellogg School of Management was honored as Connections' Community Partner of the Year. Kelly Hetherington, Kellogg student and Connections' board member, remarked, "Kellogg and Connections have established a mutually beneficial relationship that we can only hope continues well into the future." Kellogg has participated in volunteer projects that range from shelter clean-up to fundraising for the past several years.

The Patrick and Anna Cudahy Fund, a significant contributor of unrestricted funds to Connections' since 1991, was honored as the agency's Foundation Partner of the Year. Sister Judith Borchers, Executive Director, accepted the award.

Evanston resident BJ Jones, artistic director at Northlight Theatre, emceed the event and attendees heard from two program participants who described how Connections has supported them as they have made many positive changes in their lives. The silent auction featured overnight stays at the Ritz-Carlton and Heartland Spa, a family membership to the McGaw YMCA, and a number of unique dining and theater packages.

A Special Thank You…

To the evening’s underwriters:

Sponsors

Kellogg School of Management
Northwestern University

Supporters

Anonymous
Cynthia Baniak & Phillip Warth
Gary & Sue Dindia
Nancy & Neal Laatsch
Jessie Macdonald
Romano Brothers & Co.
Marc Ventresca

Friends

American Family Insurance
Desmond & Ahern
Harris Bank Wilmette
Jan & ‘Don Klingberg
Kevin & Maxine Mott
Optima, Inc.
Pharmacia Corporation
Richard & Margaret Romano

To the Spring Benefit Committee:

Co-chairs

Gary Dindia
Joe Flint

Members

Andrea Burke
Rhonda Celenza
Kelly Hetherington
Julie Kimmel
Stephanie Kimmel
Lance Labno
Catherine Schriever
Beth Truta
Marc Ventresca
Andrea Wynne

Without you, and the many other donors and participants, this special evening would not have been possible...

Photo: Sue Calder, President, Board of Directors, presents the Foundation Partner of the Year award to Sister Judith Borchers, executive director of The Patrick and Anna M. Cudahy Fund.

Photo: David Besanko, Associate Dean, accepts the Community Partner of the Year Award for the Kellogg School of Management.

Photo: Robert Dean is congratulated by The Honorable Lorraine Morton, mayor of Evanston, upon winning the raffle, two round-trip tickets to anywhere in the United States.

Photo: Board member Joe Romano (2^nd from left) pauses for a photo with (from left) Natalie Falso, Kathy Mayer, Bob Mayer.

Photo: Three of Connections’ board members enjoy a light moment after dinner; from left, Cynthia Smith, Abel Smith, and Marc Ventresca.

Highlights from The Spring Benefit 2002