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McNamee Family Foundation set to kick off with inaugural ball Jan. 26

A new nonprofit organization aimed at helping the environment, feeding the hungry and assisting high school students with scholarships in the northern Fox River Valley area will kick off its efforts with an inaugural ball on Saturday, Jan. 26.

The McNamee Family Foundation will hold the "Emerald Ball" at The Brix on the Fox, 260 Washington St. in Carpentersville, as a way to introduce the organization to the public and to raise funds for its philanthropic aims.

"We're excited about this event and we're looking forward to a celebration of our great community," said Eileen McNamee, the foundation's executive director.

McNamee said the Saturday night gala will highlight some of the charitable causes that her family has supported, including the environmental group Friends of the Fox and the FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville.

The foundation also intends to provide scholarships to high school seniors involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies.

"After supporting these causes for the past decade, we decided to create a foundation to better serve the Fox Valley," said McNamee. "We trust the community will help support these causes, too."

The ball will be held at The Brix on the Fox, a newly rehabbed industrial building converted to a fashionable, rustic-style banquet hall at 260 Washington St. in Carpentersville. The hall, originally built in the late 1800s, overlooks the Fox River.

"It's a beautiful place at a beautiful location," said McNamee. "It will be the event of the year around here."

The inaugural Emerald Ball will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a live and silent auction and will continue with cocktails, dinner and dancing.

Tickets are $150 per person (including dinner and open bar) and can be purchased through the foundation's website, mcnameefoundation.org.

"We are soliciting gifts, gift certificates, services, or cash donations for our first event," McNamee said. "No act of kindness or help is ever too small."

McNamee said the foundation is intended to continue the contributions her family has made to the Dundee community, and to commemorate her mother, Joanne, who raised 11 children while teaching mathematics. Those included the late twins Tim and Thom who practiced law and were involved in business and social causes in the Dundee area.

More information can be found at the foundation's website. Questions can also be directed to mcnameefoundation@gmail.com.

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