Heroes of the Night Gala to celebrate 10 years of Holiday Heroes bringing joy to hospitalized youth
"Holiday Heroes" staff and volunteers have been bringing much-needed joy to hospitalized children and their families throughout the Chicago area for the past 10 years.
On Thursday, June 13, the organization's supporters will come together to celebrate this milestone and look to a future of providing even more smiles for kids who could really use them.
It's the Heroes of the Night 10th annual gala to be held at the historic and scenic Theatre on the Lake at Lake Shore Drive and Fullerton Avenue in Chicago.
The annual event, the organization's largest fundraiser of the year, draws more than 750 supporters, who relish the opportunity to be a hero to hospitalized children by raising funds that enable "Holiday Heroes" to plan parties at hospitals throughout the city and suburbs all year long. The parties give young patients, their families and their caregivers the chance to forget about illness and medical procedures for a while and simply focus on being a kid and having fun.
WGN Morning News weather anchor Paul Konrad will serve as master of ceremonies for the "Heroes of the Night Gala."
The evening will feature moving stories of Holiday Heroes' work in area hospitals, as well as the presentation of the Heart of a Hero Award to honorary chair Kristina McGrath of McGrath Auto Group. McGrath is a supporter of many charitable causes and community organizations.
The gala will feature gourmet food stations with heavy hors d' oeuvres, open bar, casino entertainment and some very special music, including the Soul Children of Chicago choir and country artist Ali Morgan from North Aurora, Ill. The singer/songwriter, who signed her first record deal in 2017 at age 13, now lives in Nashville and has gained a large following.
The event also will include luxury auction items such as a private Yankee Stadium experience for four and getaways to Mayan Palace Resorts in Mexico and a beautiful home in Bali, complete with a staff of five and private chef for a week.
"The gala is sure to be a beautiful summer evening on the lakefront, as we raise funds to give some very deserving children a break from the pain, anxiety and stress of being in the hospital," says Bridgette Ferraro, executive director of Holiday Heroes. "We look forward to celebrating 10 years of placing smiles on the faces of thousands of pediatric patients."
Hospital parties planned by Holiday Heroes feature music, catered meals, gifts, the organization's signature craft crate and favorite costumed characters. The recent parties planned for National Superhero Day on April 28 included visits from an all-star superhero lineup, with hundreds of children and their families enjoying celebrations at seven different hospitals on the same day.
Tickets are still available for the Heroes of the Night Gala and can be purchased at holiday-heroes.org for $175 (general admission).
VIP tickets with early access to a pre-Gala event are available for $200 for an individual or $350 for a couple, Young Professional (under 30) tickets are available for $125, and tables can be purchased at several different price points.
Tickets can be purchased online until June 10 and at the door on June 13. The event will be held at Theatre on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the program beginning at 7:30 p.m. and concluding at 10 p.m.
Holiday Heroes is a Chicago-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that partners with hospitals, businesses, celebrities and others to bring a dose of fun to children who are hospitalized due to a critical or chronic illness. Holiday Heroes transports young patients, their families and their caregivers to a more joyous and hopeful place. The celebrations that Holiday Heroes plans have social-emotional benefits, including encouraging healthy social development and promoting better recovery. To learn more, visit www.holiday-heroes.org.