By Judy Carmack Bross
Co-chairs Meredith Mitchell, Whitley Herbert, Karen Anderson, Samantha Trace, Claire Concannon, and Cassie Mancuso Carver
One of the North Shore’s buzziest events whisked guests away to Aspen and the epic revelry that takes place after a day on the slopes. Hosted by Allendale Women’s Board, produced by ESP Presents with presenting sponsor Packaging Corporation of America, Après Ski marks a new era in fundraising for the 119-year-old board. The idyllic snow covered setting of Lake Forest’s Conway Farms Golf Club was dotted with fire pits, VIP yurts, two of the most coveted Ferrari Purosangues, and even a gondola. Veuve Clicquot and Aperol Spritzes, an espresso martini ice luge, Velocity Black photo opp ski lift, shotskis and specialty cocktails complemented a menu designed by Chef Paul Kahan of One Off Hospitality, who had a team on site hand throwing gourmet pizzas cooked in outdoor ovens. With all this – it’s no wonder the fundraiser netted a record breaking $250K for the kids of Illinois who need it most.
Event producers Sarah Neukom and Matt Woodburn of ESP Presents
Cassie Mancuso Carver with her father Rick Mancuso
Julie Concannon, Sabrina Holland, Claire Concannon, Susan Concannon
PJ and Sue Loughran and Amy and Jim Gray
Co-chaired by Claire Concannon, Karen Anderson, Cassie Mancuso Carver, Samantha Trace, Whitley Bouma Herbert and Meredith Mitchell, Après Ski – Aspen channeled the action on the slopes that takes place after an epic day of skiing. This included Aspen-inspired attire, dancing with glasses raised to the beats of deejay Sleepy Eagz (aka Jack Eagan), VIP champagne service and incredible cuisine to keep the party going. Après Ski – Aspen auction featured escapes to St. Regis Aspen, Mexico’s Hotel Esencia, Riverbend at Kohler, Deer Path Inn, The Boca Raton, The 1 Hotel Central Park in NYC, and The Four Seasons in Chicago.
Claire Concannon, Holly Price, Ashley Gallo
Jen Sawant and Shelly Marks
Kristin Cavaleri, Cassie Mancuso Carver, Jen Sawant, Mia Gregor, Carrie Adolph and Shelly Marks
Laura Alibadi and Melissa Schacki
Allendale Association is a nonprofit child welfare agency based in Lake Villa, IL, dedicated to excellence and innovation in the care, education, treatment and advocacy for disadvantaged youth and their families. It’s more than a safe haven from a life of crisis, trauma and neglect. The school works to empower each child to transcend their circumstances with positive support and consistent, ongoing guidance. Allendale gives these children the transformative experience of simply being kids – the chance to make friends, to play, to explore, to have an adventure, to make their own happy childhood memories.
Whitley Bouma Herbert, DJ Jack Eagan, Sam Trace
Tanner Rice, Katie Lee, Francis Gesualdo
“We believe everyone deserves a healthy childhood, a caring family and a chance to learn, grow and change course,” explained Allendale Association President and CEO Jason Keeler. “Allendale is a place where kids have the opportunity to restore their life and discover a better future.”
The Allendale Women’s Board takes pride in offering a ‘mother’s touch’ to the lives of the kids in Allendale’s care with a Christmas holiday party with gifts and Santa Claus, brunch enjoyed on Christmas morning, graduation celebrations, career counseling and a “School’s Out!” Spring Carnival at the Lake Villa campus.
“Allendale believes in every kid until they can believe in themselves,” Allendale Women’s Board President Karen Anderson said.
To learn more, please visit www.allendale4kids.org website or follow @allendalewomensboard on IG.
Arica Hilton
Ester Viti, Jennie Buettner and Lindsay Bloom
Hillary Lupo, Katie Donovan, Jenny Walsh
Jennifer and Michael Fiocco
