Little City gala raises over $250,000
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Governor Pat Quinn with Little City executive director Shawn Jeffers at the VIP Reception. Courtesy of Little City |
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TV newscaster Bill Kurtis was the emcee for the night. Courtesy of Little City |
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Michael Daley accepted the Sidney L. Port Legacy Award on behalf of Richard M. Daley with Little City executive director Shawn Jeffers, left, and Little City General Counsel John George, right, by his side. Courtesy of Little City |
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Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle discussed Richard M. Daley’s contributions to Chicago. Courtesy of Little City |
Drawing hundreds of humanitarians and philanthropists to learn about the importance of quality of life for individuals with disabilities, Little City Foundation grossed more than $250,000 at its annual dinner gala.
Boasting an honorary committee led by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Illinois Gov. Patrick Quinn and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Little City Foundation generated much-needed awareness and support for Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens.
“I was first introduced to Little City at the start of my career as Mayor and I’ve always been a strong supporter,” said former Mayor Richard M. Daley. “I served on the board for more than 20 years and witnessed how Little City made big advancements in the field of disability care.”
Daley received Little City’s most prestigious honor, the Sidney L. Port Legacy of Distinction Award, for outstanding service and support to the Little City mission. Little City also received a gift from RAM Racing of $20,000, proceeds generated from the recent “Hot Chocolate Walk for Little City” that RAM Racing hosted on Nov. 5 at Grant Park.
“In this moment, we have a chance to contribute to something special. We don’t have to wait, we can do it now,” proclaimed executive director Shawn E. Jeffers. “A disability is lifelong; it’s not episodic. A disability does not have a temporary pill. It’s real and it’s alive. And we don’t have the luxury of waiting.”
Bill Kurtis also said, “With cutting-edge programs and services, Little City has led the way in transforming the field of disability care for more than 50 years ... I am honored to serve as this evening’s master of ceremonies.”
For more than 50 years, Little City has developed innovative and personalized programs to fully assist and empower children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. With a commitment to attaining a greater quality of life for Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens, Little City actively promotes choice, person-centered planning and a holistic approach to health and wellness.
Sponsors included: Friends of Kevin Desmond (Gold); Eleni and Jimmy Bousis, Merle & Verne Carson, Foglia Family Foundation, the Hockfield and Rose Families, Lawson Products, Paramount Staffing, Power Family Foundation, Sage Products, Walgreens (Silver); and Breakthrough Technologies, Daley and George, Gianaras Family Foundation, Kovitz Investments, Linda LaPorte and Robert Shears, Daniel N. Luber and Karen M. Wickman, Mesirow Financial, Midway Moving and Storage, Northwest Community Hospital, Show Sage LLC, Tristan and Cervantes, US Cellular, and Wells Fargo Advisors (Bronze).
To support individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, visit www.littlecity.org/support.
For complete information, visit www.littlecity.org or contact Lisa Hoffmann at lhoffmann@littlecity.org or (847) 221-7825.
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