Clearbrook ball marks 20 years
Over the years, Clearbrook's Shining Star Ball has attracted such celebrities as novelist Scott Turow, television reporter Bill Kurtis, and Chicago Bears Chairman, Michael McCaskey, to name a few.
This year's bash drew radio personality Kathy Hart of WTMX, The Mix, and Ravi Baichwal, ABC-7 weekend anchor, to the $500-a-plate black-tie gala.
Despite its drawing power, the real stars, organizers say, are the Clearbrook clients themselves, both children and adults with developmental disabilities, who number more than 3,000 and come from 80 communities to receive Clearbrook services.
Supporters gathered on Friday in the grand ballroom of the Four Seasons hotel in Chicago, where they joined Clearbrook officials in celebrating the ball's 20th anniversary.
Clearbrook President Carl La Mell commented on the event's history, and its ability to underwrite the agency's on-site clinical services.
"Over the last 20 years, it has raised nearly $10 million for Clearbrook services," La Mell said. "I'm simply in awe of the Shining Star Ball, and how far it's come."
Guests met some of Clearbrook's clients, who have benefited from its clinical services -- including occupational, physical, speech and language therapies -- in a video produced for the ball.
Among them was artist Lori Couve, who lives in Clearbrook's first group home opened for adult women with autism and seizure disorders, and located in Hoffman Estates.
Couve's artwork, which often depicts animals, was among the featured items in the evening's silent auction.
Guests also met Marc Janovics of Mount Prospect, who won six medals last year while competing in the Special Olympics' World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.
Carole Segal, who conceived the Shining Star Ball 20 years ago with Joanie McKenna, both of Winnetka, said their intent right from the start was to raise enough money to underwrite direct services for Clearbrook clients.
"Clearbrook serves a big, big need," said Segal, who with her husband, Gordon, started Crate & Barrel in 1962. "I'm so impressed with the way they care for children and adults with special needs."