Group honors founders of Women's Network

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois gave 225 guests the opportunity to "walk on the wild side" at its Amicus Certus (True Friend) Gala at Brookfield Zoo Nov. 7.

The guests - many wearing "safari chic" apparel and accessories - enjoyed cocktails in The Swamp House, as well as dinner at the zoo's Discovery Center.

Gala co-chairs were Tori Arthofer of Naperville, Marilyn Howard of Lake in the Hills and Nancy Nagel of Winnetka. Former LSSI president, the Rev. Donald Hallberg, served as auctioneer.

The event honored The Women's Network of LSSI for its long-term commitment to supporting the Des Plaines-based social service agency.

The Rev. Denver Bitner, LSSI president, presented each of the network's founding members with a special award. Founding member Jody Hedberg gave the keynote speech, recounting how The Women's Network came to be.

"We wanted to get the Lutherans out of the church basement and into the ballroom," she said.

The Women's Network was created after the first Amicus Certus dinner in order to continue the event on an annual basis.

Today, the group supports and strengthens LSSI's mission through education, fundraising and advocacy.

In addition to organizing and hosting the Amicus Certus Gala, the Women's Network also sponsors a spring fashion show. Over the past 27 years, the network has raised more than $2.5 million for LSSI programs.

This year's gala raised more than $90,000 for LSSI's counseling, mental health and substance abuse treatment programs, as well as programs for adults with developmental disabilities.

The Amicus Certus Award is given to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the human community.

Founded in 1867, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois is a statewide, nonprofit social service agency of the three Illinois synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For more details, visit LSSI.org.