Our 15th Annual Gala Was a Success!

On Friday, May 29th, 2009, Deborah’s Place held its 15th Annual Gala Celebration to raise funds to “Open Doors for Women in Chicago.” Over 250 friends and supporters gathered together in the International Ballroom at the Fairmont Hotel Chicago to help break the cycle of homelessness for women in Chicago. The memorable evening featured musical entertainment from Stephanie Browning and the JP5, an exciting live and silent auction, dinner and dancing. Deborah’s Place is grateful to have The Boeing Company as the 15th Annual Gala’s Platinum Sponsor, Fifth Third Bank as the Gold Sponsor, and to have welcomed ABC 7 News Anchor, Kathy Brock, as the evening’s emcee.

Left: Stephanie Browning and the JP5 sing the night away to a room of supporters. Right: Board President Margaret Douglas and her table. Click images for larger size.

Several Deborah’s Place participants were present to enjoy the evening and a tenant of the Rebecca Johnson Apartments welcomed the guests during the evening’s Program. Deborah’s Place Board President, Margaret Douglas, and Executive Director, Audrey Thomas, also welcomed guests and presented the 2009 Patty Crowley Award to long-time supporter Cheryl Kobetsky.

Left: Deborah’s Place tenants and staff are dressed to the nines. Right: Cheryl and Don Kobetsky with Cheryl’s Award

Another of the many highlights of the evening were the live and silent auctions made up of donations from local Chicago businesses and individuals. Some of the most sought-after items in the silent auction included tickets to Chicago Cubs home games, private art lessons, a weekend stay at a lakeside cottage in Wisconsin, and a year-long family membership to Shedd Aquarium.

Left: Guests bid at the silent auction tables on over 50 items. Pictured (l to r) are Gail Russell, Gerri Mead, and Robert and Lois Verb. Right: Cathy Colombo and her guests prepare for a night of excitement at the Gala.

The Live Auction, which raised over $22,000, was full of excitement as guests waged bidding wars over items such as a behind-the-scenes tour of ABC 7 from anchor Kathy Brock, Club-level tickets to a Chicago Bears game, a “Chef for a Day” experience with Chef Homaro Cantu of Moto, a private at-home homemade Italian dinner from Romagna native Lilia Pieracci and Deborah’s Place President’s Circle member Janet Krehbiel Pieracci, a private sailboat cruise and dinner, and “Desserts for a Year” from President’s Circle member Joanna Rupp. Deborah’s Place was also pleased to welcome Chef Radhika Desai, a contestant on Bravo’s “Top Chef: New York” television show and Executive Chef, who helped auction off her at-home private dinner. Click here for a list of all of the live and silent auction items featured at the Gala.

Left: Chef Radhika poses with Howard Gossage, winner of a private dinner for 10 at his home prepared by her. Right: The Pieracci family, donors of the homemade Italian dinner for 8.

Deborah’s Place thanks Gala Chair Coral Cawthorn-Zake and the Gala Committees for their hard work and dedication in making this event a success. We are so grateful for the many in-kind donors, sponsors, guests and contributors, whose support is vital to our mission. With your help, we are opening doors and breaking the cycle of homelessness for women in Chicago.

Executive Director of Deborah’s Place Audrey Thomas and Gala Chair Coral Cawthorn-Zake thank you for supporting Deborah’s Place.

Missed all the fun? Make a contribution to this great event and the programs and services of Deborah’s Place here!