Benefit in Barrington Hills raises $150,309 for children

Posted August 28, 2013 1:04 pm

Submitted by Festival of Children Foundation

Ronald McDonald the clown entertains Riley, Liam and Sydney Grooms, who have been guests in a Ronald McDonald House, while they view the marvels on display at the Sanfilippo estate in Barrington Hills. April Graves/Light Drawn Studios

A European salon carousel built in 1890 housed at the Sanfilippo estate in Barrington Hills was the site of Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Festival of Children Foundation’s most recent “Carousel of Possible Dreams” fundraiser.

Earlier this month, many of the more than 180 attendees tested their fundraising prowess as they climbed aboard the 19th Century French carousel to raise $150,309 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Daniella Guzman and Stefan Holt, the anchorwoman and anchorman of NBC 5 Chicago’s morning newscasts were the emcees. They shared personal stories and encouraged the participants to go around and round and up and down, armed only with their cellphones, calling friends and contacts to solicit donations for the two organizations. Riders were not allowed off until they reached their individual fundraising goals.

“It was a nice intersection of friend-raising, fundraising, and people working together — all at an unbelievable estate,” said Doug Porter, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana.

The Carousel of Possible Dreams is an innovative fundraiser of Festival of Children Foundation. The organization has hosted carousel fundraisers throughout the country for different children’s charities since 2009.

“The concept of the Carousel of Possible Dreams is at the heart of Festival of Children Foundation. It’s about people coming together collaboratively to make a positive difference for kids. Festival of Children Foundation supports children’s charities across the country, including some extraordinary organizations in the Chicago area,” said Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, founder and executive director of Festival of Children Foundation.

The nonprofit organization gets 100 percent of the administrative costs from designated funding, allowing donations to go entirely to programs and services that improve the lives of children. Information is at www.FestivalofChildren.org.

Jim and Renata Sanfilippo dial for dollars while riding the 19th Century French carousel on the familys Barrington Hills estate. April Graves/Light Drawn Studios

The evenings emcees, Daniella Guzman and Stefan Holt of NBC Chicago, pose at the Sanfilippo estate in Barrington Hills with Daniellas husband Hector Guzman. April Graves/Light Drawn Studios

Doug Porter, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana, and Sandy Daniels, founder and executive director of Festival of Children Foundation, pose for a photo with Jim Sanfilippo. The fundraiser was held on the Sanfilippo estate in Barrington Hills. April Graves/Light Drawn Studios

One of the Carousel of Possible Dreams event sponsors, Mullins Food Products of Broadview, brought a large group of guests, who enjoyed touring the Sanfilippo collection. April Graves/Light Drawn Studios

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