Private film screening benefits Gurnee organization

The public is invited to a private movie screening of the new film "Foster Boy" Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Wilmette Theatre. The film stars Matthew Modine and Shane Paul McGhie, and features Academy Award winner Louis Gossett Jr.

Shaquille O'Neal is the movie's executive producer.

Written by Chicago attorney Jay Paul Deratany, "Foster Boy," which was partially filmed in Chicago, is based on true events from several of Deratany's foster care cases and sheds light on mistreatment of children in the foster care system.

A $20 donation per person includes an appetizer buffet before the movie and a Q&A with Jay Paul Deratany immediately following the screening. All proceeds benefit Families Helping Families Chicagoland.

Doors open at 6 p.m. The movie starts 7 p.m., followed by the Q&A at 9 p.m. The Wilmette Theatre is at 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette.

For more information and to register for the event, visit www.fhfchicagoland.org. For more information about Foster Boy, visit www.FosterBoy.com.

Based in Gurnee and started by public school teacher Amy Newman, Families Helping Families Chicagoland supports families and foster children in need and in crisis throughout Lake and Cook counties. They do this by hosting monthly donation drives, collecting birthday gifts for children living in foster care, and hosting other fundraising opportunities in order to help and positively affect as many families and children as possible.

This is a grass-roots organization mobilizing and linking local communities with families and children in foster care during times of crisis and hardship.