Rotary gala raises funds for Alexian Brothers Children's hospital

At a time when charities are struggling to raise funds, the Rotary Club of Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates sold out tickets to its annual gala for the first time.

Roughly 430 people attended the 32nd annual Classic Gala held Saturday at the Chicago Marriott Northwest in Hoffman Estates.

It's the club's largest fundraising event of the year supporting many community projects and scholarship programs, including a $250,000 pledge toward Alexian Brothers' new Children's Hospital in Hoffman Estates.

“Rotary supports so many worthwhile community agencies and activities,” said Laurie Stone of Elk Grove Village, a local civic leader and founding president of the Schaumburg Business Association. “It's so important to raise their funds especially in these economic times.”

Stone, who joined Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson and Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod as co-honorary chair of the gala, said Rotary Club fundraisers are organized well and “this year's event will break records.”

“People are very anxious to have the sense of community especially in difficult economic times. And Rotary is all about community,” she added.

Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod said the club's work is “near and dear to our heart.”

“It's very generous of them (to support the hospital),” McLeod said. “We're very fortunate to have a facility like that in our general area. I just admire Rotary for what they've done internationally and to support our local community.”

Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson said his town also was a pbeneficiary of Rotary's largesse a few years ago when the club donated a timpani to Schaumburg's Youth Symphony Orchestra.

“It's an elegant event, and it's a broad cross-section of people,” Larson said. “These people are well connected. They are a fabled institution.”

The event featured a silent and live auction, and organizers sold more than 500 raffle tickets with a grand prize of $10,000, along with other cash prizes.

Roger Smith, president of the Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates Noon Club, said the fundraising goal for this year's gala is to collect more than $100,000.

The club donates $50,000 yearly for the Alexian Brothers Children's Hospital project and has already given $135,000 of its $250,000 pledge, Smith said.

Work on the new Alexian Brothers Children's Hospital is set to begin this spring with its opening scheduled for January 2013, said Mark Frey, CEO of Alexian Brothers Hospital Network.

“We currently serve about 50,000 children a year,” Frey said.

“Sadly, about 16,000 children come through our emergency department. I'd like to thank the Rotarians for all of their support ... because of your support, your partnership with Alexian Brothers, this (hospital) is going to be a reality.”