Catholic Charities Ball sparkled with charitable spirit of St. Nicholas
Nearly 1300 guests celebrated the season of giving at Catholic Charities' 22nd Annual Spirit of St. Nicholas Ball, held December 2nd at the Chicago Hilton and Towers. Chaired by Roberta and Kevin Cleary of Glen Ellyn, the sparkling gala raised 1.1 million dollars gross to help children in need across Cook and Lake Counties. His Eminence Francis Cardinal George personally welcomed guests on the grand staircase, accompanied by the Clearys and Monsignor Michael M. Boland, President of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Live music, sumptuous food and drink, glittering décor and the spirit of giving created a special glow for the evening. Other attendees from Glen Ellyn included Kathy Webb and Marcia Knuepfer.
The Spirit of Saint Nicholas Ball celebrates the spirit of caring and generosity illustrated in the life of Saint Nicholas, the Fourth Century bishop known for his kindness, compassion and great love for children. Saint Nicholas is considered to be the model for Santa Claus. Each year his feast is commemorated all over the world on December 6.
The programs benefitting from the gala include:
• Emergency service centers
• Transitional family housing programs
• Teen parenting centers and maternity services programs
• Early childhood development
• Day care and after-school programs
• Counseling
• Food and nutrition education
For more information about the event, call (312) 948-6797 or visit www.catholiccharities.net/stnick.
Helping people in need for over 90 years, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is one of the largest private, not-for-profit social service agencies in the Midwest, annually assisting more than one million persons in Cook and Lake counties without regard to religious, ethnic or economic background. Catholic Charities fulfills the Church's role in the mission of charity by providing compassionate, competent, professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities.
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