Catholic Charities’ ‘Hearts for Homeless Families’ benefit raises over $100,000 for Northwest region

Four hundred people attended Catholic Charities’ “Hearts for Homeless Families” gala fundraiser, held May 21, at the Sanfilippo estate in Barrington Hills. The event exceeded all expectations, netting over $101,000 to fund programs for homeless families served by Catholic Charities’ Northwest Region office.

This was the 22nd “Hearts” event and featured a tour of the estate, home to an extensive collection of late 19th and early 20th century entertainment machines including antique arcade games, phonographs, player pianos, and the world’s largest theater organ.

Jasper and Marian Sanfilippo welcomed guests as they arrived by tram at the mansion. After touring the awe-inspiring collections, guests returned to the carousel venue to enjoy cocktails, appetizers, dinner and auctions. Attendees were surrounded by a steam locomotive, Pullman train car, 20-foot street clock, and a fully-restored European carousel.

Emcee WGN radio personality Garry Meier and Northwest Regional director Mary Insprucker welcomed the crowd. Reverend Michael M. Boland, president of Catholic Charities, presented three awards:

The 2011 Parish Partner Award was presented to St. Matthew Parish, in Schaumburg, for its many contributions to Catholic Charities’ work in the Northwest suburbs over the years. The parish has supported Catholic Charities’ Tuesday night suppers for the homeless and hungry, has collected winter coats and donated to the food pantry. St. Matthew also sponsors the New Hope Apartments program; contributing financially and in other ways to families who live in the community and who gradually take on more and more of their own living expenses. The parish is also an active member of the PEAR (Parish Emergency Assistance Resource) Ministry.

The 2011 Stephen O’Brien-Combs “Heart of Charity” Award was presented to John Altmeyer, a parishioner from St. Edna Church in Arlington Heights for his many years of service in a variety of roles: as a member of Catholic Charities Northwest Regional Board; as a founder of the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Edna; as a PEAR representative, and as an organizer of evening suppers for the hungry.

Proceeds from the gala support Catholic Charities’ New Hope Apartments program, designed to help end the cycle of homelessness for families by providing the shelter and training they need to become self-sufficient.

“In these tough economic times, we have more people coming to us for aid, and fewer able to help. The support of the 2011 Hearts for Homeless Families fundraiser is a testament to the many that gave of their time, talents, and monies to answer the call to give back,” said Mary Insprucker, Catholic Charities’ Northwest Regional director.

Catholic Charities Northwest Region Office is located at 1717 Rand Road, in Des Plaines. The office serves the communities of Barrington, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Dundee, Palatine, Inverness, Rolling Meadows, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Prospect Heights, Wheeling, Mount Prospect, Des Plaines, Harwood Heights, Schiller Park, Franklin Park, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Streamwood. For more information about the Northwest Region Office, call (847) 376-2100.

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