A magical event for Little Angels Sept. 17

The 2010 inaugural "Angel Songs Gala" was the Little Angels Center for Exceptional Care's first venture into the world of formal events.

The event raised $50,000 in support of the Little Angels residents and the Cathy Freeman Center for Developmental Training. This year, the gala has once again proven to be quite a draw for supporters and corporate sponsors.

Angel Songs' “A Magical Night” takes place at the Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington Hills on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Attendees start the evening off with a look at the unique Sanfilippo collection of antique music machines, phonographs, arcade and gambling machines and the world's largest restored theatre pipe organ. The event continues into the night with dinner and cocktails, live entertainment, raffles, auctions and a grand raffle prize drawing.

Entertainment for the night includes Elgin singer Jeorge Holmes, whose “Tribute to Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Pavarotti” is a hit with any crowd. “Harp Twins”, Camille and Kennerly, are returning for their second year to the gala, and will once again stun listeners with their remarkable duet harp arrangements. And this year, to add a touch of magic to the evening, strolling illusionists will amuse and amaze attendees with vanishing quarters, wayward flowers and sleight-of-hand tricks.

"Angel Songs" has already created quite a stir in the community with Comcast and Fisher Nut signing on as event sponsors. Additional copmpanies such as Com Ed, Tiffany & Co., and the Chicago Bears have also donated products for the evening's auction. Some of this year's auction and raffle items include Bears v. Packers game tickets, Keith Urban concert tickets, a cocktail party for 50 at the Sanfilippo Estate and the grand raffle prize of a one-week stay on the island of Kauai in Hawaii and a $1,000 Visa gift card.

Roland Harper, former Chicago Bear, Little Angels parent, and this year's Angel Songs Honorary Chairman, will end the night with his view on Little Angels from a parent's perspective. His story and a video about the impact Little Angels has on the families served is sure to be enlightening. These families' experiences are often untold and they continue to be an important part of the Little Angels story.

All Angel Songs proceeds go to fund the residents of Little Angel and the Cathy Freeman Center for Developmental Training. Little Angels is a loving home for children and young adults with severe disabilities and complex medical needs. It is a state-of-the art facility that offers round-the-clock nursing, therapeutic and habilitation services in a warm, caring environment; and provides highly specialized care to 57 medically involved children and young adults. The Cathy Freeman Center for Developmental Training is a therapeutic day training program for young adults with severe disabilities.