Rainbow Hospice Angels Ball Benefit sees record numbers
Camera flashes, movie popcorn, and red-feathered headdress ladies attached to a flowing red carpet completed the look for Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care's annual celebration of the Angels Ball. This year's celebration saw over 650 people attending the Classic Hollywood styled event.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, Rainbow Hospice hosted its 26th annual Angels Ball in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency O'Hare. The event was centered around honorees, Karen and John Kolb of Long Grove for their guidance and philanthropic leadership.
“Over many years, the Kolbs have been steadfast in their ability to drive Rainbow Hospice forward,” said Pat Ahern, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rainbow Hospice, noting the many areas where the Kolbs have been involved. “For many years, the Kolbs have served on the Board of Directors, Advisory Groups, and multiple fundraising committees, including the Seeing Beyond the Rain Endowment Campaign. Together they are a perfect example of what we need in our heroes here at Rainbow Hospice.”
To get the evening under way, the Rev. John Schumacher was on hand to offer an invocation followed by a dinner featuring custom Hollywood names from awarding winning Hyatt Executive Chef, Louis Pignotti.
Rainbow Hospice President and CEO, Patricia Ahern, and honoree John Kolb both spoke on the impact of Rainbow Hospice, including stories about a Rainbow Hospice social worker supporting a homeless patient and a 100-year-old daughter of slaves who pays forward her hospice experience $5 at a time.
The evening also saw a dance floor, packed to the music of the Gentlemen of Leisure Band, a silent auction and multiple raffles including a $2,500 Grand Raffle and donated trips to Galena.
With the support and participation Rainbow Hospice received at Angels Ball this year, the organization raised more than $250,000. The money raised at the event will help to provide care for the terminally ill as well as other Rainbow Hospice programs including the Good Mourning Program for Children and the Rainbow LIFE Institute.