Auction Items for the 25th Annual Celebration Event

Value: Priceless

#2: A Night in Italy
Lilia Pieracci, a native of the Emilia Romagna region of Italy along with daughter-in-law Janet Krehbiel Pieracci will create a regional dinner for eight in your home. The chefs will work with you to plan the menu. Possible menu items include: bruschetta or antipasti; a pasta course of paper-thin layers of spinach pasta in Lilia’s homemade lasagna ala Bolognese or homemade spinach and ricotta filled tortellacci with tomato cream sauce or pasta prosciutto; salad course; main course of prosciutto stuffed chicken breast, veal scaloppini, or roast rabbit; side dishes such as eggplant, artichokes, roast rosemary potatoes or roast fennel; and a fabulous dessert such as delicate lacy powder sugared “fritelle”, fresh berry tart and of course cheeses and fruit. They will also bring a sparkling Prosecco to start the meal and advise you on other wine selections to complement your meal. Restrictions: Call to arrange time prior to June 1, 2011. Not available at major holidays. Beverages not provided, except as noted. Chefs will take care of all of the clean up as an added bonus. – Courtesy of Lilia Pieracci and Janet Krehbiel Pieracci.

Value: $500

#4: Chef for a Day
If you think food is meant to be experienced with all of the senses, you will be in for a special treat when you work side-by-side with executive Chef Homaro Cantu at Moto Restaurant, home to Chicago’s most original dishes. You’ll learn Chef Cantu’s molecular gastronomy secrets first-hand, help the team prepare for the evening dinner service, and taste and experience the unique food and preparation styles that Chef Cantu is known for. Chef Cantu appeared on Food Network’s Iron Chef and hosts his own show, “Future Food”, with Moto pastry chef Ben Roche on Planet Green. – Courtesy of Moto Restaurant and Chef Homaro Cantu

Value: Priceless

#5: Viva Mexico!
Escape to a land of tropical luxury with a one-week stay at two-bedroom beachfront villa at the Royal Cancun Resort in Cancun, Mexico. The Royal Cancun has all of the amenities of a resort, but with a home away from home ambiance! You’ll be staying right on the Nichupte Lagoon, where you’ll have access to jet skis, kayaking, wave runners, snorkeling expeditions and free sailing. Travel to the nearby Mayan ruins of Tulum or the Isla Mujeres to shop, or to the sister resorts in the area. Your vacation will take place Saturday, January 22 through Saturday, January 29, 2011 – a perfect time to escape the Chicago winter. – Courtesy of Susan Sonderby and Family

Value: $1800

#6: Sip, Dine & Dream
The winner of this item will enjoy months worth of fine dining and a hotel stay to top it off. This special package includes a personal at-home wine tasting for up to 14 people ($350 value), and gift certificates to some of Chicago’s top restaurants: Sushi Samba ($100), Rhapsody ($50), Crofton on Wells ($50), Bella Notte ($50), Jam ($150), Palette Bistro ($50), Ina’s ($20), and The Tasting Room (wine tasting event.) In addition, you’ll enjoy a weekday stay at the luxurious Sofitel Hotel, located in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast. – Courtesy of Wines for Humanity, participating restaurants, Celebration Committee, and Paul and Melissa Haase

Value: $950

#7: Lakeside Cottage Stay
Treat yourself to a weekend stay (three days and two nights) at a beautiful, recently remodeled three bedroom two-story home overlooking Lake Koshkonong in south central Wisconsin, 30 miles southeast of Madison. This package also includes a handmade quilt, made specifically for Deborah’s Place, to cuddle up with on your relaxing weekend. – Courtesy of Gail Russell and Gerri Mead, and Ms. Antonette Trinchese

Value: $1000

#8: The VIP Treatment

Feel like royalty with this one-of-a-kind package! Enjoy a “VIP” dinner and tour of famed Tru Restaurant for up to 4 people, which includes complimentary champagne to start, a private tour of Tru’s renowned modern art collection and kitchen, a $350 gift certificate for dinner, and personalized menus as a memento of your experience. You’ll also receive two Main Floor, Lower Balcony tickets or Best Available to a Tuesday, Thursday or Friday 2010-2011 Chicago Symphony Orchestra performance, accompanied by a CSO package filled with CD’s, books, and CSO attire. After the show, retire to Chicago’s Park Hyatt for a one-night stay (any night) in a Grand Deluxe King room. The next morning, enjoy breakfast from one of the greatest views of the city at NoMi Restaurant! – Courtesy of Tru, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Park Hyatt Chicago

Value: $1300

#9: Wine and Dine with Our Leaders
Margaret Douglas, President of the Deborah’s Place Board of Directors, will welcome you for a dinner for six in her home to get to know her and Deborah’s Place Executive Director Audrey Thomas! With 31 years of leadership between them, this is an opportunity to learn first-hand about the work of and women behind Deborah’s Place. – Courtesy of Margaret Douglas and Family, and Audrey Thomas and Michael Stanek

Value: Priceless

• Authentic Louisville Slugger signed by Cubs Catcher, Geovany Soto ($200)
• Two sets of tickets to Chicago Cubs home games at Wrigley Field in the Terrace Reserved Seats behind home plate:
• Two tickets to the Wednesday, 7/21 game vs. Houston Astros, 1:20 PM
• Two tickets to the Saturday, 7/24 game vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 12:05 PM

Courtesy of Cubs Care and Intercon Solutions

2. Diamond District **Value $1,000

• Select a stunning piece of jewelry of your very own with a $1,000 gift certificate to Gregg Helfer, Ltd., a private wholesale jeweler located on Walton Street.

Courtesy of Gregg Helfer, Ltd., Private Jeweler

3. Theater Experience **Value $590

• Two tickets to any performance in Steppenwolf Theater’s 2010-2011 season ($140)
• A two-night weekend stay for two at Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, with complimentary breakfast and valet parking ($350)
• $100 gift certificate to Macy’s

Courtesy of Steppenwolf Theater, Sheraton Hotel, and the Scott Nierman Family

4. McLovin’ It Getaway **Value $680

• Exclusive tour of McDonald’s History and Hamburger University
• Two classic massages side by side at Healthscape Spa & Fitness Center at the Hyatt Lodge in Oak Brook, IL ($265)
• Private candle lit yoga session at Healthscape Spa ($60)
• A $75 gift certificate for dinner at the Hyatt Lodge’s Piazza Restaurant
• A weekend stay (Friday & Saturday nights) at the Wyndham Hotel in Lisle, IL – 20 minutes away from Oak Brook – which includes breakfast for two each morning ($280)

Courtesy of Healthscape Spa & Fitness Center, the Hyatt Lodge, and Wyndham Lisle Hotel

5. Hostess with the Mostest **Value $1,010

• Private at-home wine tasting with 7 bottles of wine for up to 14 people, guided by a professional wine advisor from Wines for Humanity ($350)
• Carpet cleaning service from All Star Carpets ($250)
• A $250 gift certificate for recycling services from Intercon Solutions
• Two matching Wedgewood China serving platters ($160)

Courtesy of Wines for Humanity, All Star Carpets, Intercon Solutions and the Celebration Committee

6. Opera Outing **Value $800

• Two tickets to a Sunday matinee performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on 11/13/10 at the Lyric Opera ($150)
• A $100 gift certificate to One North Kitchen & Bar
• A two-night weekend stay for two at Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, with complimentary breakfast and valet parking ($350)

Courtesy of Joyce & Tim Dugan, One North Kitchen, and the Sheraton Hotel

7. Weekend Escape **Value $425

• 3 hours of personal assistant services from Chicago Anytime Assistants ($120)
• A two-night weekend stay (Friday & Saturday) for two at Wyndham Hotel in Lisle with complimentary breakfast ($280)
• A $25 gift certificate to Women & Children First Bookstore to buy the book you’ve been dying to read but never have the time

Courtesy of Chicago Anytime Assistants, Wyndham Lisle Hotel, and Women & Children First Bookstore

8. Go Irish **Value $500

• Four (4) tickets to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes football game in South Bend, IN, on Saturday, 10/30/10 at 2:30 PM.

Courtesy of Jerome Crowley

9. White Sox Fanatic **Value $488

• Three sets of tickets (10 tickets) to The Chicago White Sox home games at Cellular Field:
• Four tickets and a parking pass to the Friday, 7/30 game vs. the Oakland A’s, 7:10 PM
• Two tickets and a parking pass to the Saturday, 8/28 game vs. the NY Yankees, 6:05 PM
• Four tickets and a parking pass to the Saturday, 9/11 game vs. the Kansas City Royals, 6:05 PM

Courtesy of Intercon Solutions and Paul & Melissa Haase

10. Pretty & Pampered **Value $1,710

• High-end jewelry from the Miriam Salat collection of Bochic – a Wildgrass cuff and sparkle earrings ($560)
• A private shopping event at Mary Mary Gifts in the Gold Coast, including champagne, hors d’oeuvres and a special gift for each gift. (10% of sales at this party benefit Deborah’s Place.) ($1,000)
• A gift basket of high-end cosmetics and spa treats ($150)

Courtesy of Miriam Salat, Mary Mary Gifts, and PrettyCity.com

11. One-of-A-Kind Artwork **Value $2,000

• A beautiful piece of artwork from Garnet Wrigley, famed Hudson Valley Impressionist. This one-of-a-kind piece was created with pastels and is 20” x 24”

Courtesy of Garnet Wrigley

12. Kate Spade Style **Value $1,205

• Surround yourself with style with this group of Kate Spade designer handbags and jewelry. Includes a variety of clutches, a baby bag, a travel bag, a wristlet, a necklace, bracelet and earrings.

Courtesy of Jackie Grazulis

13. Fine China **Value $1,500

• This 50 year-old antique Wedgewood White Fine Bone China is a rare find and a stunning addition to any home. Includes 12 five-piece settings (Bread & butter plate, salad / dessert plate, dinner plate, tea cup and saucer), three serving plates, 13 dessert bowls, 12 soup bowls, and six coffee saucers.

Courtesy of Marie Therese McDermott