For the 12th annual Kandy Kane Ball, over 800 holiday revelers showed up at Joe’s Bar Chicago with toys in hand to donate to Chicago Children’s Charities, the evening’s beneficiary. Described as the city’s largest private toy drive by event organizers, the Dec. 13 fundraiser included live entertainment by Sorry For Partying and The DJ Firm, an open bar and hors d’oeuvres. Cocktail attire and a toy were required for entry.
Inspired by the 1964 TV movie “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Taylor & Company decorated the 20,000-square-foot space with colorful light displays and cutouts of icebergs and characters from the film including Rudolph, Yukon Cornelius and Sam the Snowman. Santa Claus greeted guests in the bar seated on a gilded velvet throne as classic holiday films played on 110 plasma screen TVs throughout the venue.
“This event was founded in 2002 as the result of a request from one of the founding members who, at the time, had been diagnosed with cancer. Her wish was to provide toys for underprivileged kids during the holidays. That member has since beaten cancer. Little did she know that she also planted the seed for the Kandy Kane Ball,” said Mark Bell, a Kandy Kane Ball board member.
During the evening, more than 4,000 toys and dozens of bikes were collected for delivery to Holy Family Church on Dec. 20. The toy distribution for Chicago Children’s Charities was overseen by Rev. Michael Gabriel.
“What a wonderful time for these children, their faces full of excitement and joy. A gift says to a person, you are special, you are cared about, and these kids, nearly 400, certainly felt that thanks to the generosity of the Kandy Kane Ball,” Gabriel said.
Other toy donations were made to St. Anthony Hospital and social services organization Su Casa Catholic Worker, among others.
Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved with many local organizations, including some whose events she covers.
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