By Judy Carmack Bross
The Woman’s Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs celebrate the Summer Ball
From the Beach Ball to the Celebration Ball to the Diamond Ball last year celebrating the event’s 75th anniversary and now this year’s Summer Ball, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago’s Woman’s Board is known for one of the most moving, most magical and most mission driven events capturing Chicago hearts. The Summer Ball raised $2.1M to support BGCC’s mission of empowering Chicago’s young people to reach their full potential
Club member and scholar Antonella spoke movingly at the Summer Ball
Board President Karen McEniry with husband Roger
Kelly Rosen Lagrange, Co-Chair, Karen McEniry, Woman’s Board President, and Kate Melman, Co-Chair
Summer Ball Co-Chairs, Kate Melman and Kelly Rosen Lagrange, as well as Woman’s Board President Karen McEniry welcomed 320 guests to the Summer Ball held at Aba and the Dalcy in historic Fulton Market. Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago is a nonprofit dedicated to providing a safe and positive environment for thousands of city youth. Facing extraordinary challenges, Club youth live in underserved areas where they must overcome daily obstacles to achieve success. The evening featured a moving speech by four-year member Antonella who shared positive experiences at her Club. She highlighted the sense of acceptance and community she feels at her Club, and credits it for her success both academically and as a leader and athlete at her school. Antonella was previously awarded one of the many significant scholarships provided by the Woman’s Board members, and she plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to study medicine with the hope of realizing her dream of becoming a kidney specialist.
Co-Chair Kate Melman at podium
Kelly Rosen Lagrange, Co-Chair, Karen McEniry, Woman’s Board President, and Kate Melman, Co-Chair 2
BGCC’s Woman’s Board ‘s Annual Summer Ball was first held at the Post and Paddock Clubhouse at Arlington Race Track in 1952. The iconic Summer Ball has ushered in Chicago’s gala season since 1952. As the city’s oldest black-tie gala, it serves as a model for other nonprofit events.
Band
The lively dance floor
Live jazz by the Arlen Music Jazz Quartess and an energetic afterparty with DJ Fred Matters delighted guests as did culinary highlights including a signature Mediterranean “Mezze Feast” crafted by Aba and The Dalcy, followed by decadent take-home cookies by Beatrix and chocolates by Harry Winston, Inc. Among the evening’s notable guests were Giuliana and Bill Rancic, who made an exclusive appearance in support of the Woman’s Board and served as auctioneers for the live auction.
Auctioneers Bill and Giuliana Rancic
Harry Winston Avenue C mini timepiece
BGCC’s Woman’s Board’s Summer Ball featured auction items including a stunning Harry Winston Avenue C mini timepiece, donated by BGCC’s newest philanthropic partner, Harry Winston, Inc. A private “Diamond Dining” experience for 30 in the Cubs Clubhouse, hosted by Tom and Cece Ricketts of the Chicago Cubs and Kate and R.J. Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, and an exclusive private dinner for 20, personally prepared by celebrity chef Evan Funke at Tre Dita, were bid on enthusiastically as well as a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Singita, one of Africa’s premier private game reserves in Kruger National Park, donated by Singita, with bespoke travel planning by Huffman Travel, VIP experiences, including a Lady Gaga concert box, a Cubs/Brewers suite behind home plate, and a Day at Dior kept paddles raising.
One of the evening’s auction items
The special evening was one of the most successful fundraising events in the organization’s history.
Virginia Bobins and Lisa Aronin
Mimi and Bob Murley
Dr. Julius Few and Ali Parenti
Serving Chicago families since 1902, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC) uses a comprehensive blend of mentoring and programming to provide youth ages 5 to 20+ the tools they need to become well-rounded and successful adults. Filling the after-school hours, which can be the most dangerous for young people, BGCC offers academic, social, and leadership activities for students in some of Chicago’s most underserved neighborhoods. Youth are matched with professional adult mentors, giving kids a safe place to learn, grow, and succeed.
Regina Duffy, Marisa Levin, Katie Berger
Whitney and Joseph Huffsmith
For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago and its programs, please visit bgcc.org.
Photo Credit: Rick Asta at Motion
