Shelter Inc. gala raises funds for abused, neglected children

The recent downturn in the economy had officials with Shelter, Inc., worried. Would their 21st annual charity ball, regarded as their single largest fundraising event of the year, suffer from financial jitters?

The answer, it seems was no, judging by the opening emotional appeal made even before the start of their auction.

Executive director Pat Beck described how case workers are seeing an increased demand, driven in part by mounting pressures on parents from financial worries and job insecurities.

Shelter, Inc. in Arlington Heights provides emergency care for abused and neglected children through their network of foster families, as well as long term care in their three adolescent group homes.

"When children are abused, they lose their childhood," Beck said. "Their eyes fill with tears when they tell us their stories."

Her appeal drew an immediate $61,000 from the 350 guests in attendance at the black tie event, held Friday at the Woodfield Hyatt in Schaumburg. It came mostly in increments of $500, $250, and $100 - donated even before the oral auction began and silent auction bids were tallied.

Guests appeared moved by the cause, of protecting Northwest suburbs children in need.

"You don't think out here in the suburbs, there would be a need for this kind of care," said Bill Vainisi of Inverness, board vice president.

Dean Raschke, president and CEO of Roadside Protect in Hoffman Estates and honorary chairman of the event, said his commitment to the agency was personal.

"I come from an adopted family," Raschke said. "My siblings and I all come from different backgrounds, but my parents worked to make us a family. So I know there are good people out there."

Shelter's ball was the first charity event to take place in the newly renovated Regency Ballroom, and it proved an elegant setting, for the evening's theme, "Travel Through Tuscany."

Co-chairs Michele King of Elgin and Linda Divins of Addison worked with Nancy Lazzaroni of Palatine to transform the venue into an Italian villa, complete with its red tile roof and surrounded by wine kegs, grape vines and greenery.