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Nearly $400,000 raised at 31st annaul Alexian Brothers Ball

There were 450 guests who walked through a tunnel of light Saturday, May 6, to embark on an evening dedicated to the Alexian Brothers and help shine a spotlight on mental health.

With the theme "Lighting the Way," the 31st annual Alexian Brothers Ball de Fleur raised nearly $400,000, which will be used to support patients recovering from behavioral health and substance use disorders.

As part of the gala, Amita Health and Alexian Brothers Health System President and CEO Mark Frey shared the news of the recent opening of the Foglia Family Foundation Residential Treatment Center - the first-of-its-kind facility in Illinois to treat adults with anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder or chemical dependency.

Jane Monzures, host of "Living Healthy Chicago" on WGN-TV, served as Mistress of Ceremonies and led the live and reverse auctions, which netted more than $235,000 alone toward the total philanthropic effort.

She reminded Alexian Brothers supporters of the importance of "being the light, one person, one moment at a time," with a focus on creating a healthier life for many in need.

Alexian Brothers Ball de Fleur Diamond Sponsor Terry Graber, president and CEO of Power Construction, offered the toast and introduced Michael Benoit, Alexian Brothers Foundation Board chairman, who gave an invocation.

"Our world and community need goodness, compassion and people who respect and care about each other," said Melanie Furlan, vice president, Advancement, Alexian Brothers Foundation.

"At the Alexian Brothers Ball de Fleur, we saw all these things in our guests' overwhelming support of those in need. The collective power of our community's compassion was on display in people generously giving each other hope for new life."

As a historic Chicago building that once housed Salisbury Electric back in 1855, Morgan Manufacturing served as the modern venue for the Ball de Fleur, including three levels where guests enjoyed a reception with cocktail mixing stations, a silent auction with more than 65 items for bid, a dinner complete with roving desserts, and dancing until midnight by Time Chicago.

In addition, guests were invited to light a candle and write a message for a loved one, especially those touched by addiction and mental illness.

"We can't do it without you, and our work isn't done," said Clay Ciha, president and CEO, Amita Health Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, as he addressed the guests. "In just one day, I counted 1,645 encounters among our Amita Health and Alexian Brothers Health System team who touch those affected by mental health and substance use disorders. That adds up to at least 500,000 throughout the course of a year."

Throughout the venue, 10-foot-high lighted boxes reflected the stories of patients and their families who have been treated by Amita Health/Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health team members. In addition, the event program featured a video telling the true stories of two young patients who have overcome substance use disorders with vital support from Alexian Brothers behavioral health programs.

As Ciha pointed out, "We have to invest in behavioral medicine, and addiction medicine must become a service line that you value and integrate into the other components of your health system."

Amita Health and Alexian Brothers Health System President and CEO Mark Frey recognized the 2017 Ball de Fleur sponsors, including Diamond Level ($50,000): Mr. David's Foundation (Itasca); Power Construction (Chicago); Superior Ambulance Service (Elmhurst) and Walsh Construction (Chicago), and Platinum Level ($25,000): Bear Construction (Rolling Meadows). In addition, TouchPoint (Sandy Springs, Georgia) was a Gold sponsor ($15,000). Silver Level ($10,000) sponsors were Cardiovascular Associates (Elk Grove Village), ITW (Glenview), ManorCare Health Services (Elk Grove Village), Medical Center Anesthesia, Ltd. at St. Alexius Medical Center (Hoffman Estates), Midsuburban Radiological Associates (Elk Grove Village), Nixon Peabody (Chicago), Northwest Oncology & Hematology, S.C. (Rolling Meadows), and Physician Anesthesia Associates (Elk Grove Village). And Bronze Level ($6,000) sponsors were: Athenahealth (Watertown, Massachusetts); Bard (New Providence, New Jersey); Berry Electric (Berkeley); Chicagoland University Pediatric Surgery (Crown Point, Indiana); Dickerson Engineering (Niles); Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP (Chicago); Kare Hospital Medicine (Hoffman Estates); Medical & Dental Association of St. Alexius Medical Center (Hoffman Estates); Midsuburban Radiological Associates (Woodstock); Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (Chicago); Sebert Landscaping Company (Bartlett); TeamHealth (Rosemont); Tovar Snow Professionals (East Dundee), and Valetude (Wakefield, Massachusetts).

The 2017 Alexian Brothers Ball de Fleur featured a special Grand Raffle with a five-night "Northern Lights" adventure to Iceland, as well as live auction prizes with trips to the "City of Lights" in Paris, the Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North, the 2018 Masters Golf Tournament, and an escape to Sedona, Arizona.

Since the first Garden Ball in 1987, the Alexian Brothers Foundation's annual philanthropic gala has welcomed nearly 22,000 guests and raised more than $7 million for programs providing compassionate health care and housing services to Chicago-area residents.

The Alexian Brothers Foundation raises money to support the nonprofit Amita Health Alexian Brothers Health System, which is based in Arlington Heights. Philanthropic support sustains mission-critical programs that enhance clinical care, ensure housing and social services for individuals impacted by mental illness, homelessness and HIV/AIDS, and promote the overall health and well-being of the community.

Amita Health (AMITAhealth.org) is an integrated health system serving communities in Western and Northwestern suburban Chicago. Amita Health is a Joint Operating Company formed in February, 2015, by Adventist Midwest Health, based in Hinsdale and Alexian Brothers Health System, based in Arlington Heights, encompassing nine hospitals and an extensive physician provider network of more than 3,000 physicians. Amita Health is committed to delivering the most efficient, highest quality, faith-based care possible and respecting the faith traditions of all people.

Alexian Brother Steve Fogt, Brother Daniel McCormick, Provincial, Immaculate Conception province of the Congregation of Alexian Brothers, and Alexian Brother Patrick McCabe. Alexian Brothers Foundation/Dave Pflederer
Mark Frey, president and CEO, Amita Health and Alexian Brothers Health System, welcomes guests to the 31st annual Alexian Brothers Ball de Fleur while Mike Benoit of Bartlett, Alexian Brothers Foundation board chairman and managing director, Wealth Office, DiMeo Schneider & Associates; Terry Graber of Inverness, president and CEO, Power Construction, Diamond Sponsor for Alexian Brothers Ball de Fleur; and Jane Monzures, Alexian Brothers Ball de Fleur Mistress of Ceremonies, look on. Alexian Brothers Foundation/Dave Pflederer
Guests at the 31st Annual Alexian Brothers Ball de Fleur enjoy the opening program and live auction on May 6. Alexian Brothers Foundation/Dave Pflederer
Drs. Shaku and Gregory Teas of River Forest and Dr. S. Irfan Syed and Saba of Des Plaines. Dr. Teas is Service Line chief of psychiatry, Amita Health Behavioral Medicine, and Dr. Syed is medical director, Foglia Family Foundation Residential Treatment Center and medical director, Amita Health Center for Addiction Medicine. Alexian Brothers Foundation/Dave Pflederer
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