Addison mayor’s ball generates $58,000 for local charities

More than 500 residents, business community members and friends of Addison attended the 23rd annual Mayor’s Community Charity Ball last month at Alta Villa Banquets, allowing Mayor Rich Veenstra to present the $58,000 in proceeds to 21 charities and service organizations that will use the money for causes such as feeding the hungry, helping sick children, helping those with substance abuse problems and providing scholarships.

The event saw a $2,500 increase over 2012, and was the first hosted by Veenstra since he took office in May.

“My wife, Mary Ann, and I have attended the event since it began under Village President Anthony Russotto,” Veenstra said. “But this is the first time I was able to see everything that is involved, from the planning that begins in early summer through the event itself. A lot of time and effort goes into it.”

Twenty different groups use the Mayor’s Ball each year as a fundraiser: Addison Community Switchboard, Addison Center for the Arts, Addison Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Addison Rec Club, Americans of Italian Descent, Concord Lutheran School, Addison Elementary District 4 Foundation for Educational Excellence, DuPage High School District 88 Foundation, Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation, Good Samaritan United Methodist Church, Kiwanis Club of Addison, Knights of Columbus, LCFS – Lutherbrook Child and Adolescent Center, Medinah Shriners, Parks and Recreation Foundation, Rotary Club of Addison, Serenity House, Sister Cities of Addison, Student Participation Center, and Women’s Club.

Proceeds raised by the village of Addison are split between two charities of the mayor’s choosing. This year those benefited Addison Community Switchboard and the St. Vincent DePaul Society.