Fideliter Club to host 130th gala
The Fideliter Club of Elgin, a nonprofit organization, will hold its 130th annual charity ball, "Making Magic Happen for 130 Years," Saturday, Aug. 25, at the St. Charles Country Club.
Club members and guests will celebrate the club's continued and successful philanthropic efforts of "Feeding Children" in the community. This year's ball is chaired by the club's past President Bonnie Henn-Pritchard of Elgin.
The event, with formal cocktail attire, begins with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 8 p.m. The cost is $320 per couple or $160 per person. For reservations and more information, contact Jennifer Colby at (847) 741-3516.
"I am honored to follow in the footsteps of so many incredible women who have chaired this significant event over the years," said Henn-Pritchard, "and have such a talented team of committee members to make the magic happen."
Members of the 2018 gala committee are: Judy Hanlon, Linda O'Connor, Amanda Laughlin, Betty Brown, Carri Laird, Jan McGrath, and Jennifer Colby.
The Fideliter Club is Elgin's oldest philanthropic organization, founded in 1882. Through the proceeds of its annual charity ball, the Fideliter Club has made a substantial impact on feeding children in the greater Elgin area community.
"This 'Magical Night' promises to be an exceptional evening of friendship, dancing, dining and fundraising efforts to help children," said Kay Loeloff, Fideliter Club president. "There will be plenty of surprises to keep the evening special."
In addition, club historian Patti Esposito added, "In honor of this year's Fideliter Club Charity Gala, there is a 'Fideliter Ball Gown Exhibit' on display at the Elgin History Museum, which features fashionable gowns worn by Fideliter Club members in previous years."
The gowns on display were worn by: Janet Beattie at the 78th Charity Ball in 1966 at the former Chateau Louise in West Dundee; Betty Brown at the 90th Charity Ball in 1978 at the Medinah Country Club in Medinah; Dorothy Perlman at the 101st Charity Ball in 1989 at The Hamilton in Itasca; Donna Burnidge at the 107th Charity Ball in 1995 at the Sofitel Hotel in Rosemont; Pat Laird at the 110th Charity Ball in 1998 at Medinah Country Club in Medinah; and Ann Warner at the 112th Charity Ball in 2000 at Café La Cave in Des Plaines.
In addition to the gowns on display, the exhibit also includes the rich history of the Fideliter Club of Elgin. The Elgin History Museum is at 360 Park St. in Elgin. The exhibit will be on display until the end of this year.
The Fideliter Club mission is to help ensure children in the Greater Elgin area are not hungry.
Fideliter Club 2018 officers are: Kay Loeloff, president; Keli Nitschke, Linda O'Connor, Gini Shahzada, Bonnie Henn-Pritchard, Jennifer Colby, Kim Hopkins, Patti Esposito, Kim Lyons, Betty Brown, Nancy McKenna, and Carri Laird.
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.fideliterclub.com or call Kay Loeloff at (847) 217-1137.