Service Club of Chicago, one of city’s oldest charities, honors a special tradition for Valentine’s Day

The Service Club of Chicago brought back a much-loved tradition, their 2^nd annual Valentine's Day Tea! Back in the day, this idea was brilliantly brought to life by the much-loved man-about-town, Bunky Cushing who hosted the event every year, usually at the Ritz, and always benefiting the Howard Brown Health Clinic.

Women (and some men) would clamor for the coveted invites to this well publicized event. The invites always insisted on red attire, with Bunky clad in his signature bow tie. The event was always covered in every social magazine.

For the second year, The Service Club of Chicago continued this “sweet” tradition. The bright, airy Atrium at the Ritz-Carlton was filled with over 60 excited guests, all wearing red and every shade of pink. President Jean Antoniou welcomed all by saying “Please know how much you are appreciated. On a cold February day, you put on your red, bought your tickets, and came out to support Service Club like you always do! Thank you.”

A raffle allowed ticket buyers to “choose the item” they wanted to win, and the tickets sold fast and furious. Prizes ranged from a Fumee Claire candle basket to a glam gift basket from SC member Dr. Stacie McClane to an exciting dinner for 8 planned and executed by Second City Prime, a top steak and seafood purveyor, who also provided/donated gift certificates and packets of seasonings for every goody bag.

Champagne flowed and guests celebrated old and new friendships. Attendees were already talking about “next year.”

Designed as a new event to fill the winter months, the Valentine’s Day Tea was, again, quite the success. Co-chaired by Bobbi Panter, Kathy Piccone, Heather Spyra and Myra Reilly, this year’s event raised over $26,000 to support it’s Philanthropic Grant Program which assists, improves and expands upon nonprofit agency programs in the Chicagoland area.

Its grant recipients operate in the areas of social service, cultural, educational, and civic fields and serve children, elderly, the abused and neglected individuals in our community.

The Service Club of Chicago is an all-volunteer women's organization founded in 1890. Mark your calendars now for the SC's popular Spring Hat Luncheon on Monday, May 8, co-chaired by Bethany Florek, Whitney Reynolds and Julia Jacobs, and the exciting Day on the Terrace Fashion Show & Luncheon on Monday, August 7, co-chaired by Jean Antoniou, Sharyl Mackey and Tracey Tarantino DiBuono, (all event details here).

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