Shelter Inc. to host 20th anniversary ball

In 1988, Shelter Inc. began its annual Charity Ball with a dream -- by gathering together the business community of the Northwest suburbs, Shelter could build a larger Boys Group Home to meet the needs of local abused and neglected adolescent boys.

The Boys Group Home opened in 1996, and remains the only community-based emergency facility for adolescents in the Northwest suburbs.

Shelter invites the community to join in a special 20th anniversary gala celebration at 6 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Woodfield, 1800 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg.

Serving as evening host is NBC Unit 5 investigative reporter Renee Ferguson. Ferguson has received some of the nation's most prestigious journalism and civic awards, including an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, seven Chicago Emmys, and the Studs Terkel Lifetime Achievement Award.

The evening begins with an elegant 20th anniversary reception, with hors d'oeuvres served by a white-gloved wait staff. Following that, a four-course anniversary dinner will be served, selected especially for the occasion by the Hyatt's executive chef.

A professional auctioneer will host a live auction, featuring trips to exciting destinations, tables at the area's finest restaurants, and primary seating at theatrical or sporting events, while silent auctions offer even more one-of-a-kind gifts and excursions.

A special 20th anniversary raffle offers guests the opportunity to win prizes, including a cruise to distant shores. The evening concludes with dancing to live music.

Individual tickets for the ball are $250. Patron Tables (reserved seating for 10) are $2,500, Platinum Tables (preferred seating for 10) $4,000, and specially appointed Chairman's Tables are $5,500. All Chairman's Tables include prestige seating for 10, raffle tickets, and special 20th anniversary gifts.

Gordon F. Grote, president of RR Donnelley's Response Marketing Services, serves as honorary chair. A direct marketer for more than two decades, Grote has held senior positions in both domestic and international printing businesses.

Prior to his position with RR Donnelley, he was an executive with the Moore Corporation. Grote is active in several professional associations that promote best practices and standards in the printing industry. He also served as chairman of the Printing Industries Association/IBFI Government Affairs Committee.

The event's chairwoman is Sue Stevens of Ivy Hall School. Kris Stabler of Arlington Park serves as co-chairwoman. Nancy Lazzaroni of Prestige Productions Inc. serves as production and decor chairwoman.

Committee members include Betty Burke, Gloria Lorenz and Mary Podeszwa of Motorola Inc., Linda Divins of United Marketing Group, Marilyn Donovan, Jim Gould, and Gary Irps of Hyatt Regency Woodfield, Karen Hanson of Zurich North America, Margarita Heinzel of The Meetinghouse Companies Inc., Michelle King of Premier Insurance Brokerage Ltd., Thommy MacNiff-Kolb of Harris N.A., Pat LaMont of G.L. Enterprises, Diane Sanders of Second Systems Inc., and Lindsey Strazzanti of Paine/Wetzel ONCOR.

NBC5 Chicago is Shelter's media partner. NBC5 Chicago has served the Chicago and Northwest Indiana area for more than 50 years, featuring long-running community programs such as NBC5's "Homework Hotline." Also, "The Jefferson Awards" which NBC5 has presented for the last 11 years, honors unsung heroes in the community.

All proceeds benefit Shelter Inc., the only nonprofit, licensed, and accredited child welfare agency in the Northwest suburbs providing community-based emergency and longer-term care and housing for children and adolescents, ages birth through 17. Shelter's programs are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Children and adolescents who are abused, neglected, dependent or in need of supervision are cared for in Shelter's Emergency, Traditional and Home-of-Relative Foster Care Programs, and in three Group Homes, which include the Boys Group Home in Palatine, the Jennings Home for Girls in Schaumburg, and the Older Adolescent Group Home (OAGH) in Arlington Heights for boys, ages 16 to 17.

Shelter also provides the only Healthy Families program in the Northwest suburbs, a home visitation and parenting education program for first-time parents.

For more information about the ball, sponsorship opportunities, or to make reservations, call the Shelter Inc. development department at (847) 590-6188, ext. 21, or visit online at shelter-inc.org/charity_ball.htm.