Gala nets The Bridge $30,000 more than last year

The Bridge Youth & Family Services hosted a successful fundraising event April 21 at the Sanfilippo Estate, Barrington Hills.

The gala surpassed expectations with regard to attendance and support, by netting $30,000 more than what the gala raised in 2011. All funds raised will support agency programs and services.

The event began with Gala co-chairs Wendy Copeland and Jon Schwartz, and Lisa Hanson-Braun and Gary Braun greeting guests at the Sanfilippo Family residence. Guests were encouraged to tour the residence and to view the many magnificent collections of restored antique music machines throughout the home.

Following the tour, guests were shuttled to the Carousel venue for cocktails, dinner, silent and live auctions and a grand prize raffle.

The Bridge Youth & Family Services has been serving the Northwest Suburbs since 1965 with child and family counseling, crisis intervention, early childhood counseling, mentoring programs and youth leadership development. Some or all these services are offered to six area townships, including Palatine, Barrington, Maine, Hanover, Schaumburg and Elk Grove townships.

“Our regular donors were as generous as ever, and so many new friends were in attendance that together they created a complete success,” said Gregg Stockey, executive director of The Bridge. “I appreciate the help of our committee that put the event together. So many hours went into making everything work. I hope they are proud of what they achieved. The proceeds from this event will pay for needed services for dozens of kids.”

Guests were entertained, inspired and thanked for their generosity during the evening, which concluded with carousel rides on the European salon carousel, the ‘Eden Palais’, originally built in 1890 and fully restored by the Sanfilippo Foundation.