25th Anniversary Celebration Event a Success!

On Thursday, June 17, 2010, Deborah’s Place celebrated a quarter century of service at the 25th Anniversary Celebration Event at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

Almost 270 friends and supporters gathered together for a sold-out event celebrating 25 years of breaking the cycle of homelessness for women in Chicago. The memorable evening featured an exciting live auction and paddle raise, thirteen raffle packages, and a seated dinner, and raised over $80,000 for Deborah’s Place! The event was featured in several media outlets: Crain’s Chicago Business Blog, on the ABC 7 news, and on the NBC 5 News.

Guests strolled throughout the conservatory during the champagne reception and read about Deborah’s Place 25-year history along the way	Board Member Paul Haase and wife Melissa Haase enjoy the event with Anca Burke and Josh Burke, President of the Professional Auxiliary Board

The event drew supporters from throughout Deborah’s Place’s 25 year history, including many from around the country. The current Board of Directors also hosted a pre-event Champagne reception for all former board members of the organization.

Cheryl Kobetsky leads the pre-reception champagne toast for former and current board members and friends	Sister Patty Crowley, Deborah’s Place Executive Director from 1991-2004, happily poses with former board members, Maureen McGowan Milner (l) and Beth Pearson (r), who traveled across the country to be at this special Celebration

An exciting feature of the event were the 8 live auction packages and 13 raffle packages, put together from donations from local businesses and individuals. This year, items included a Chef for a Day with Homaro Cantu of Moto Restaurant, a VIP package of dinner, art, opera, and accommodations, tickets to various regional sporting events, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the ABC 7 Studios with Kathy Brock, who was also the evening’s emcee. The event also featured a paddle raise, which brought in over $28,000! Click here for a list of live auction and raffle items featured at the Event.

Emcee and ABC 7 News Anchor, Kathy Brock, works with Auctioneer Jeff Brown to excite the crowd and entice guests to bid on her auction item during the Live Auction	Deborah’s Place friend, Jackie Grazulis, had a very lucky night and won no less than three raffle packages!

Several awards were also presented to those who have supported Deborah’s Place. Joanna Rupp accepted the 2010 Patty Crowley Award, The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services received the Hope and Home Award, and the women of Deborah’s Place were granted the Renewal of Spirit Award.

Roxana, a tenant of Deborah’s Place and a “Deborah’s Place Diva” displays the Renewal of Spirit Award, which she accepted on behalf of all of the women of Deborah’s Place. Another Deborah’s Place tenant Ayisha, is by her side.	Joanna Rupp gives a moving speech about her experience at Deborah’s Place after accepting the Patty Crowley Award

Debra Janiszewski, the Director of the Homeless Division of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, accepted the 25th Anniversary Hope & Home Award on behalf of CDFSS

Thank you to the individuals who dedicated their time, energy, and support to the event this year!

Silver Sponsors Plexus Groupe with Unum Provident and ING Financial Steering Committee Coral Cawthorn-Zake, Co-Chair Jerry Cholewa, Co-Chair Catherine Colombo Margaret Douglas Ellen Gossage Bonnie S. Hawkins JoAnn Pinetti

Gold Sponsors The Boeing Company Fifth Third Bank RR Donnelley Celebration Committee Mary Ashmore Kimberly Cole Darius Gill Melissa Haase Paul Haase Glenda Peters Kimberly Plummer Judith Rayborn Gail Russell Jann Dragovich-Stulberg Katrina Van Valkenburgh Lisa Zambrano

Bronze Sponsors Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen, P.C. Host Committee The Deborah’s Place President’s Circle: Dana Brink Joyce Dugan Margaret Herring Debbie Kleban Cheryl Kobetsky Janet Krehbiel Pieracci Joanna Rupp

Celebration Co-Chair Coral Cawthorn-Zake (l), and President of the Board of Directors, Margaret Douglas	Celebration Co-Chair Jerry Cholewa (l), and Steering Committee and Board Member, Cathy Colombo

Missed the event? You may still make a contribution to the programs and services of Deborah’s Place here! Also, click here to view the remaining 25th Anniversary Events at Deborah’s Place.