The Event: The short break in the winter storm must have seemed like divine providence for 450 attendees who braved the cold to attend the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago 14th annual d’Vine Affair at the Union League Club of Chicago on Jan. 25.
In addition to wine and beer tasting seminars, nearly 90 vintners from around the world uncorked 250 vintages and master brewers opened their taps to give guests a taste of the good stuff and to raise critical funds for Catholic Charities’ self-sufficiency programs. The d’Vine Affair has raised more than $1 million over its 14 years.
Cause célebre: “It’s probably the best wine tasting event in the city considering the amount of vintners both domestic and international, and it supports self-sufficiency programs which allow families to get back on their feet and truly become self-sufficient,” said Teddi Scholz of Highland Park, event co-founder.
Long-time participant and first-time event co-chairman, Erin Reardon Cohn of Highland Park said, “This is about a hand up not a hand out. It’s about sustainable families, and one dollar donated today will last for generations.”
Catholic Charities assists one million people annually throughout the city and suburbs via its 166 locations in Cook and Lake counties. Facilities range from shelters to early childhood centers to regional offices and residences.
Most notable, according to Monsignor Michael Boland, president/CEO Catholic Charities, has been the spike in poverty in the suburbs.
“The challenge in the suburbs is that there is almost no public transportation so people are isolated, and this is where Catholic Charities steps up,” said Boland.
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“In Lake County,” added Scholz, “The self-sufficiency program is a template for self-sufficiency programs elsewhere in the county.”
Bottom line: The event raised $120,000 dollars for Catholic Charities’ self-sufficiency programs.