Youth & Family Counseling's Cabaret Gala is a success

Youth & Family Counseling Auxiliary hosted the 2018 Gala Cabaret on Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington.

Since 1962, YFC has made professional counseling services affordable for thousands of Lake County families. At the 2018 gala, more than $154,000 was raised in support of mental health counseling services for Lake County families.

The Place de la Musique at the Sanfilippo Estate was the backdrop for fellowship and fundraising. French-themed cocktails and appetizers were passed while guests perused the silent auction, purchased raffle tickets, and experienced the estate's rare collection of restored steam engines, an original 1881 steam locomotive and tender, and original Pullman cars.

Guests were wined and dined in an elegant room graced with a colorful, carved facade backdrop of life-size horses and art glass butterflies, and by a 20-foot tall Joseph Mayer cast iron street clock.

YFC Auxiliary President and Gala Co-Chair Anne Brandt of Libertyville welcomed guests and talked about access to mental health care. Miriam Smith-Taylor of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Lake County shared her personal struggle with severe emotional trauma and the critical role mental health treatment played in her recovery. Later in the evening, Terri Urban of Libertyville shared her family's life-changing experience with Youth & Family Counseling.

YFC Executive Director Janelle Moravek spoke of the barriers many Lake County residents face when seeking mental health treatment, and how YFC plays a critical role in helping families receive professional counseling treatment when they need it.

Following a plated dinner, live auction, and Fund-a-Cause, the evening concluded with carousel rides for guests on the 1890 Eden Palais Carousel.

The 2018 gala was co-chaired by Anne Brandt and Maria Rill, supported by YFC staff and gala committee members Patricia Bleck, Bonnie Bock, May Evans, Karina Formento, Annette Freyman, Kirstin Griffith, Jodi Hackendahl, Michelle Krumm, Kaarn Luce, Sharon Mullins, Lorraine Pritchard, Casey Rooney, Kathleen Salemi, Leia Skie, Erin Swearingin, Laurie Wienke and Judy Zoellick.

Generous gifts were received from Premier Sponsors Allstate, BCU and Vernon Hills Dental Center; and Platinum Sponsors Brake Parts Inc., Tom and Annette Freyman, and William Frick & Company. Gold Sponsors included Advocate Condell Medical Center, Phil and Treacy Cutting, Richard and Sandra Hutson, JLL, and Greg and Lorraine Pritchard.

Additional support was provided by Silver Sponsors Banner & Witcoff, Dalco Metals Inc., Steve and Terry Ihm, Kirkland & Ellis, Libertyville Bank & Trust Company, Rust-Oleum Corporation, and Semmelman & Wisneski. Bronze Sponsors included Joe and Ann Berghammer, Bleck Consulting LLC, Ron and Katie Gauvin, Carol and Lance Piccolo, Tom and Maria Rill, and Jim and Darlene Shackelford.

For information about Youth & Family Counseling, visit www.counselingforall.org.

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