Youth & Family Counseling Auxiliary hosts gala benefiting mental health counseling
The Youth and Family Counseling Auxiliary hosted the 2017 gala "An Enchanted Paris Eve" on Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington. Since 1962, the Youth and Family Counseling in Libertyville has made professional counseling services affordable for thousands of Lake County families. At the 2017 gala, more than $150,000 was raised in support of mental health counseling services for Lake County families.
The spectacular Place de la Musique at the Sanfilippo Estate was the stunning backdrop for fellowship and fundraising. French-themed cocktails and appetizers were passed while guests perused the silent auction, purchased raffle tickets, and experienced the estate's rare collection of restored steam engines, an original 1881 steam locomotive and tender, and original Pullman cars. Guests were wined and dined in an elegant room graced with a colorful, carved facade backdrop of life-size horses and art glass butterflies, and by a spectacular 20-foot tall Joseph Mayer cast iron street clock.
Auxiliary president and gala co-chair Anne Brandt and YFC board member Gary Holland, both of Libertyville, welcomed guests and thanked them for helping to improve access to mental health care. YFC Executive Director Janelle Moravek spoke about the mental health needs in the community and the ways in which YFC was responding to those needs. A presentation by YFC counselor Christine Spuhler, MA, LCSW, dramatized the benefits of counseling for a client who learned to trust, thrive, and make a difference in the lives of others.
After dinner, a live auction and Fund-a-Cause, the evening concluded with delightful carousel rides for guests on the 1890 Eden Palais Carousel.
The 2017 gala was co-chaired by Anne Brandt and Maria Rill, supported by YFC staff and gala committee members Patricia Bleck, Bonnie Bock, May Evans, Karina Formento, Annette Freyman, Alison Gildemeister, Kirstin Griffith, Jodi Hackendahl, Julie Kloser, Michelle Krumm, Kaarn Luce, Sharon Mullins, Lorraine Pritchard, Casey Rooney, Kathleen Salemi, Leia Skie, Erin Swearingin, Laurie Wienke, Janine Wilson, and Judy Zoellick.
Generous gifts were received from Premier Sponsors Allstate, BCU, Vernon Hills Dental Center; Platinum Sponsors Brake Parts Inc, Hollister, William Frick and Company, and Tom and Annette Freyman. Gold Sponsors included Advocate Health Care, JLL, Rust-Oleum Corporation, Richard and Sandra Hutson, and Greg and Lorraine Pritchard.
Additional support was provided by Silver sponsors: Banner and Witcoff, Scott and Brenda Carlson, Dalco Metals Inc., Karina Kolb-Formento of Baird and Warner, Steve and Terry Ihm, Kirkland and Ellis LLP, Libertyville Bank and Trust Company, and Semmelman and Wisneski, Ltd. Bronze sponsors included: Joe and Ann Berghammer, Bleck Consulting LLC, Ron and Katie Gauvin, Debra Kullman, Lance and Carol Piccolo, Tom and Maria Rill, Jim and Darlene Shackelford, and Dr. Shalini Varma, M.D.