CLC Foundation gala raises record-setting amount to help students
More than 200 friends of the College of Lake County Foundation came out to support student scholarships on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Drake Hotel in Chicago.
"The CLC Foundation Gala was an incredible success thanks to a team effort by the supporters and staff," said Bill Devore, College of Lake County Foundation interim executive director. "We raised more than $280,000 - breaking our currently held record amount by over $30,000 - with proceeds from the event benefiting CLC scholarships and grants."
Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Midwestern Regional Medical Center was the Diamond sponsor with Richard J Stephenson, founder and board chairman, serving as the gala's honorary chair.
"I cannot think of a more noble cause than to support and celebrate the human potential that we are helping develop," Stephenson said.
Other top sponsors were: Legat Architects; Wintrust Wealth Management and supporting banks: The Chicago Trust, Co., Libertyville Bank and Trust and State Bank of the Lakes; First Midwest Bank; R.J. Galla Company, Inc.; and Robbins Schwartz.
"The honors scholar student volunteers were the stars of the evening," said Rob Hauswirth, CLC Foundation board chair and managing director at CTC|myCFO. "From selling raffle tickets to engaging guests with their inspiring stories, they are the embodiment of our mission and our greatest voice."
Yesenia Cardenas, CLC honors scholar, received a standing ovation for her speech about the incredible rewards that come from believing in yourself and taking risks.
"For a student who is unsure if they can succeed in college, taking a risk can be as individual and intimate as signing up for that first class," she said. "I think about influencers like Malala Yousafzai and thousands of girls and women in other countries who literally risk their lives to pursue an education, and I feel fortunate that my only barrier is access to financial resources - which can and have been generously provided by CLC Foundation donors."
Volunteer members of the CLC Foundation's 2017 Gala Committee were: Liz Bronneberg, Baxter International; Pete Govorchin, Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Midwestern Regional Medical Center; Meg Largay, First Midwest Bank; Holly S. Monger, HSM Consulting; Michelle Parnell, Wintrust Wealth Management; Sue Rosko; Sandra Shinsky, gala committee co-chair; Lisa Dooley Trace, gala committee co-chair, Griffith, Grant & Lackie Realtors; Bob Worobow, CHP International; and Jan Zobus, gala committee co-chair.
"We are truly grateful to all our sponsors, dignitaries and donors for making this gala a grand success," said Jan Zobus, gala committee co-chair.
Additional sponsors included: Armor Systems; The Chicago Trust Company N.A. a Wintrust Wealth Management Co.; Circuit Court Judge Christen Bishop and Circuit Court Judge Christopher Stride; CLC Alumni Association; Cotter Consulting, Inc.; Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation; First Bank of Highland Park; Grainger, Griffith, Grant & Lackie Realtors; Karl Knauz Motors Inc.; Lake County Building Trades Council; Lake Forest Place, a Presbyterian Homes Community; Lesser, Lutrey, Pasquesi & Howe; LMT Onsrud LP; Mortenson Construction; Northbrook Bank and Trust Co.; Susan T. and J. Kenneth Rosko; and John and Jan Zobus.
The College of Lake County Foundation raises money to fund scholarships and grants that provide CLC students an opportunity for a better future. Through these efforts the College of Lake County Foundation strengthens the vitality and well-being of the diverse communities we serve. In FY 2016, the Foundation provided $952,000 in scholarships and grants to support nearly 400 CLC students. To learn more about the Foundation and make a life-changing gift supporting higher education this charitable giving season, visit www.clcillinois.edu/foundation.
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