The Event: Chicago Gateway Green, the non-profit, public-private partnership dedicated to the greening and beautification of Chicago’s gateways and expressways, celebrated its 25th annual Green Tie Ball on Oct. 1 in the eclectic space of Architectural Artifacts in Chicago.
Emcees WGN radio’s Roe Conn and Anna Davlantes presided over the “Starry Night” bash and led 1,000 attendees in lively fundraising efforts to further aid Chicago Gateway Green in its efforts to make a positive environmental and aesthetic impact on Chicago.
Cause célebre: “We are beautifying and greening Chicago’s expressways…to make sure that the city looks beautiful to our guests and to the people who are on the highways every single day,” said Tony Abruscato, originally of Wheeling, executive director.
Founded in 1986 by Donald J. DePorter, Chicago Gateway Green efforts have facilitated the planting of 4,000 new trees, the clean-up of 1.3 million pounds of trash, and the addition of 150 acres of green space.
“There are a lot of studies that show that greening on the expressways and flowers and trees actually reduces people’s anxiety while they’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic,” added Abruscato. “So it’s important for that and, as we offset the carbon footprint, it’s important that we help create this beautiful and healthy environment for Chicago.”
Chicago Gateway Green directs its efforts to landscape enhancement, litter and graffiti removal, as well as the installation of public art.
“What’s more beautiful than coming down the highway, seeing trees and plantings and flowers?” posited Sheldon Holzman of Glenview, treasurer and 20-year board member. “Either on the way to the city or on the way to the suburbs, you still want a view surrounded by green as…this is all still greater Chicagoland.”
Bottom Line: On its 30th birthday and silver Green Tie Ball anniversary Chicago Gateway Green raised $400,000.