Bill Rancic, Ilan Shalit and Jim Belushi light up Summer Ball for Boys & Girls Clubs. (Photo courtesy of BGCC)
The Woman's Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago welcomed a crowd of 320 guests to its 76th annual Summer Ball, an evening of celebration, generosity and impact held at the award-winning Aba and the Dalcy May 30. The event, co-chaired by Kate Melman and Kelly Rosen Lagrange, was one of the organization's most successful, raising over $2.1 million.
Kelly Rosen Lagrange, Co-Chair, Karen McEniry, Woman's Board President, and Kate Melman, Co-Chair.
The Summer Ball, one of Chicago's longest-standing philanthropic events, featured a moving speech where four-year member Antonella shared positive experiences at her Club. She highlighted the sense of acceptance and community she feels at her Club, and credits it for her success both academically and as a leader and athlete at her school. Antonella was previously awarded one of the many significant scholarships provided by the Woman’s Board members, and she plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to study medicine with the hope of realizing her dream of becoming a kidney specialist.
Kate Melman, co-chair, and Giuliana Rancic.
A surprise performance by Jim Belushi, along with Bill and Guiliana Rancic (who served as auctioneers), energized the crowd. Guests also enjoyed live jazz by the Arlen Music Jazz Quartet and an after-party with DJ Fred Matters. Culinary highlights included a signature Mediterranean “Mezze Feast” crafted by Aba and The Dalcy, followed by decadent take-home cookies by Beatrix and chocolates by Harry Winston, Inc.
BGCC’s Woman’s Board.
The Summer Ball featured top-tier auction items including:
- A stunning Harry Winston Avenue C mini timepiece, donated by BGCC’s newest philanthropic partner, Harry Winston, Inc.
- A private “Diamond Dining” experience for 30 in the Cubs Clubhouse, hosted by Tom and Cece Ricketts of the Chicago Cubs and Kate and R.J. Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
- An exclusive private dinner for 20, personally prepared by celebrity chef Evan Funke at Tre Dita
- A once-in-a-lifetime trip to Singita, one of Africa's premier private game reserves in Kruger National Park, donated by Singita, with bespoke travel planning by Huffman Travel
- VIP experiences, including a Lady Gaga concert box, a Cubs/Brewers suite behind home plate, and a Day at Dior
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC) is a nonprofit dedicated to providing a safe and positive environment for thousands of city youth. Facing extraordinary challenges, Club youth live in underserved areas where they must overcome daily obstacles to achieve success.
(For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago and its programs, please visit bgcc.org.)
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