Fundraiser helps Shelter Inc. fulfill mission
Most days, officials with Arlington Heights-based Shelter Inc. go about the business of providing children with emergency housing or long-term care quietly.
On Friday, Shelter's role as the only nonprofit and accredited child welfare agency in the Northwest suburbs took center stage.
Agency officials gathered with supporters of the organization at the Woodfield Hyatt in Schaumburg for the 21st annual Shelter Ball.
Nearly 350 guests found themselves transported to the wine country of Tuscany as they entered the ballroom to find an Italian villa serving as the backdrop, surrounded by wine kegs, grape vines and greenery.
Proceeds from the event were earmarked for all of Shelter's services, including its Healthy Families program, a home visitation and parenting education program for first-time parents.
Dean Raschke, founder of Roadside Protect in Hoffman Estates, which offers nontraditional roadside assistance to college students, and United Card Solutions in Wheeling, served as the honorary chairman of the event.
"During a good economy, the services of Shelter are needed," he said. "During a troubling economy, services are needed even more."
Dr. Sandy Goldberg, nutritional consultant for NBC 5 Chicago, served as emcee for the evening. The elegant black tie event came into focus when Pat Beck, Shelter's executive director, described some of the family situations children experience before being placed in one of Shelter's foster care programs or adolescent group homes.
"When abused children come to Shelter, they have no place to call home, no parents to hold them," Beck said. "They are literally throwaway children."
Shelter operates three group homes in the suburbs: the Boys Group Home in Palatine, the Jennings Home for Girls in Schaumburg, and the Older Adolescent Group Home in Arlington Heights for boys ages 16 and 17.
Shelter officials described the fundraiser as more important than ever.
"This is our major fundraising event," said Bill Vainisi of Inverness, the Shelter board vice president. "Without this event, our mission would be impossible to fulfill."