A Night of Fashion and Compassion to Benefit A Safe Place

"Change your shoes. Change a life." On Friday, May 10, 400 women and men slipped into their best cocktail attire and stepped out in stylish shoes for an exciting evening of shopping, wine, and fashion at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort to support lifesaving services for survivors and children of domestic violence.

It was a dazzling evening, from the trendy multi-designer Marketplace of shoes, jewelry, and handbags, sip-sational wine tasting by twelve vintners, a sophisticated fashion show presented by Chicago designer Ann Everett, and a silent and live auction featuring lavish trips and experiences. A night to remember, a night where friends, colleagues, daughters, mothers, and grandmothers from around the Chicagoland area gathered to raise $220,000 to benefit A Safe Place.

A Safe Place is the sole provider of services exclusively focusing on domestic violence victims in Lake County, Illinois. Through multi-faceted programs and services, A Safe Place assists victims and their children in transforming their lives after domestic violence, prevents future abuse by addressing its root cause through abuser intervention programs, and educates the community about domestic violence and how we can all be involved in its end. Last year, A Safe Place touched over 29,000 community members.

"We are honored and humbled by the overwhelming support for our third year of Wine Women & Shoes," said Pat Davenport, Chief Executive Officer of A Safe Place. "It is exciting to see women of all generations and men from corporations, local businesses, agencies, and the police department join together to help eliminate domestic violence in our communities."

After the shopping ended, and guests sat down to learn more about the mission, Davenport announced that one in three women and one in five men in the country are the victims of serious physical violence at the hands of intimate partners. A survivor from A Safe Place support groups in Lake Forest bravely stood on stage and told the story of her abuse and her husband's eventual suicide.

The evening was also highlighted by the incredible volunteer "Shoe Guys," who represented A Safe Place by raising $27,000 in the community before the night of the event. During the event, the "Shoe Guys" showed off the latest fashions available in the marketplace on silver platters and strutted their stuff on the catwalk. In addition, three fashionistas were awarded Best in Shoe for the most Powerful Pumps, Fearless Flats, and Warrior Wedges of the evening, and one stunning guest was awarded Best Dressed.

"Be Fearless" was the theme of the night and the stunning fashion show included a trail of models wearing Ann Everett's newest Spring collection available for sale on her website anneverettfashiondesigns.com. The energy stayed high as a Tina Turner impersonator took the stage for three impactful songs.

Generous sponsors of the event included Mercedes Benz Autohaus; Cycle Logistics; Uline; Evanston Masonry; Volkswagen Credit; Rosalind Franklin University; Donlen, A Hertz Company; The Law Offices of David R. Del Re; HTH Technologies; ALLSTAFF; Libertyville Bank and Trust; State Bank of the Lakes; Bob Baizer/Romanucci & Blandin LLC; The Lake Forest Police Foundation; Berger Schatz; Takeda; WIN Women's Inclusion Network; Nancy and Andy Mills; Corey and Christy Noland; and The Steve and Barb Anderson Family Charitable Fund.

"Thank you to all of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and guests for making our third annual event a great success," said Davenport. "With your help, lives are transformed and saved."

Mark your calendar for next year's not-to-be-missed fashion event of the year on May 8, 2020.