Ball captures generous spirit of St. Nick

Last year, for the first time, the Spirit of St. Nicholas Ball, reached a historic milestone: the black tie event grossed $1 million for children's services provided across Chicago and its suburbs by Catholic Charities.

This year's event took place Friday at the Chicago Hilton, where Cardinal Francis George and the Rev. Michael Boland, Catholic Charities president, greeted the 1,200 guests.

They stood beside a vivid mural of St. Nicholas, the 4th century bishop whose spirit of caring and generosity, and particularly his great love of children, seemed to underscore the evening.

George and Diana Moser of Barrington served as honorary chair couple for last year's record event, and they returned this year to serve as co-chairs. They remain committed, they said, to Catholic Charities' mission to serve children of all backgrounds.

"How often have we seen someone down on their luck and thought, 'there but for the Grace of God,'" Moser says. "The children we raise money for, and all of those children Catholic Charities helps, are no different than yours and mine."

Serving with them on the steering committee were other suburban supporters, including: Doug and Christine Altenberger, George Jr. and Deanna Moser, John Moser and Ruth Wilcox; all of Hoffman Estates; J.R. and Dawn Davis, and Donald and Karen Phillips, of Barrington; Walter and Joyce Ousley of Park Ridge; and Chuck and Janie Walsh, and Charles and Catherine Walgreens, all of Lake Forest.

This year, Mark Hoppe, CEO of Cole Taylor Bank in Rosemont, served as honorary chair couple, with his wife, Mary.

While the final proceeds are not totaled, Catholic Charities officials seemed confident that Friday night's gala would exceed last year's mark.

Driving its success, they said, were the wish list pledge cards on each table, allowing guests to donate specific amounts earmarked for children's needs. They ranged from as little as $80 for two months of diapers, to as much as $5,000 to sponsor a year's worth of child care services for a poor, working family.

"That's over and above what our guests are doing to already come to the event," said Dave Gardner, Catholic Charities event director.

While the excitement of the ball lasted only one night, its net proceeds will fund a variety of child-centered programs for the next year, officials said.

They pointed to its adoption services, children's day care, drug prevention programs, foster care, immunization program, maternity services, Head Start, child abuse and neglect investigations, after-school programs and child welfare counseling, many of which are offered at Catholic Charities Northwest suburban regional hub in Des Plaines.