Prepare to fete, raise funds for Community Crisis Center in St. Charles
The Community Crisis Center will present the 27th annual benefit auction on Saturday, March 8, at the Q Center, 1405 N. Fifth Ave., St. Charles. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with hundreds of items featured in the silent auction, entertainment, and dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Auctioneer Terry Dunning will conduct the live auction at 8:45 p.m.
Those interested in attending the event may contact the center. Reservations are required and tickets are $100 a person; seating is limited. First-time attendees receive a $20 discount and may attend for $80 a person. Raffle tickets for cash prizes ($2,014 first prize and $500 second prize) are now being sold by staff and volunteers; raffle tickets will be sold at the event, but winners need not be present.
The Gold Sponsor for the event is the Seigle Family Foundation. Silver Sponsors include K.R. Miller Contractors Inc., the Hoffer Foundation, and EFS Foundation. Other businesses and individuals are sponsoring at various levels.
Currently, some of the items donated include an African safari, weekend getaways at privately owned retreats, and gift certificates for Chicago-area restaurants, wineries, and performances. A wide variety of children's items, household and holiday décor, gardening and outdoor items, jewelry, fashion accessories, and numerous baskets containing items and certificates will be up for auction. Tickets and autographed items by the Chicago Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, and other athletes are popular. Golf for three at Medinah Country Club with a club member is available. Sports items include autographed jerseys by Duncan Keith and Marian Hossa, along with photos of Bobby Hull, Patrick Kane, and Jonathan Toews. Tickets to an April 9 John Legend concert, a helicopter ride, catered parties, and limited edition artwork are up for bid. A list of auction items will be sent to all those making reservations before Monday, March 3.
The event is the largest fundraiser for the Community Crisis Center. Established in 1975 as one of the first domestic violence shelters in the U.S., the Center is a multi-service agency and continues to help people in our area and throughout Illinois, with 24-hour availability and services at no cost to the victims. In addition, up to 40 women and children stay at the shelter each night.
For more information or to make a reservation, contact Kari Sheppard at (847) 742-4088 or ksheppard@crisiscenter.org.