Youth & Family Counseling Gala Supports Counseling for Children & Teens
The Youth & Family Counseling Auxiliary hosted the annual Gala on Saturday, November 7 at the historic Lehmann Mansion in Lake Villa. 200 guests were in attendance and over $135,000 was raised to support affordable mental health services for children and teens in central Lake County.
Auxiliary President Anne Brandt and YFC Executive Director Janelle Moravek thanked attendees for supporting YFC's mission: Opening doors to mental healthcare so people can cope, heal and thrive. Ms. Moravek related her own experience accessing counseling during a family crisis. She stressed that not everyone has the same access to care. Because of the funding received through generous Gala supporters she said, YFC is able to help those who are uninsured, have high deductibles, or are otherwise without resources to get mental and emotional support when they need it.
Guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers in the historic mansion followed by a formal dinner in the tent. Attendees participated in a $10,000 raffle and live and silent auctions that included behind-the-scenes tours, exclusive parties, professional sporting events, and luxurious vacation destinations. In keeping with the evening's celebratory tone, the candle-lit dining room tables were graced with rose, hydrangea, and ornamental cabbage in silver pedestal bowls. Following dinner, attendees enthusiastically danced to the tunes of the B-Side Band.
The 2015 Gala was co-chaired by Anne Brandt and Maria Rill, supported by YFC staff and committee chairs Michelle Krumm, Sue Rudolphi, Kaarn Luce, Stephanie Marcus, Sharon Mullins, Kathleen Salemi, and Patricia Bleck.
The Gala was sponsored by generous gifts from Premier Sponsors Allstate and BCU, and Major Sponsors Takeda and Abbott. Additional support was provided by JLL, Rustoleum Corporation, Greg & Lorraine Pritchard, Banner & Witcoff, Libertyville Chevrolet, Scott & Brenda Carlson, Dick & Sandy Hutson, Steve & Terry Ihm, Kirkland & Ellis, Libertyville Bank & Trust Company, Libertyville Chevrolet, Manning Silverman & Company, Lance & Carol Piccolo, RAC Refrigeration Systems, Bleck Consulting LLC, Jim & Darlene Shackelford, and Steve Lee & Associates, LLC.
In-kind gifts were received from Tucker Olson - Auctioneer, Shelly Kelly - B-Side Band, Stephanie Marcus & Peggy Carter - Centerpieces, Elene Hansen - Invitation & Program Design, Gretchen Clemens - Photography, William Frick & Company - Signage, The Colonie - Video Production, and Tom Keramidas - Video Supervision.
YFC is a United Way of Lake County agency.