From the moment the 250 guests arrived for the annual Service Club Gala, the event’s “Glitz and Glamour” theme was in evidence. From the black and white ostrich feathers to the pyramid of stacked crystal glasses filled with Champagne, the event channeled elegance.
Held at the Four Seasons Chicago on Nov. 4, the gala raised over $250,000 for the Service Club of Chicago, one of the oldest charitable organizations in the city. Since 1890, it has provided grants for under-resourced agencies that focus on welfare, civic, educational and cultural needs in the Chicagoland area.
RELATED: TRENDING LIFE & STYLE NEWS THIS HOUR
Following a reception, the doors opened to the Grand Ballroom, where dramatic black, white and silver decor included tables topped with chrome stands that supported rotating images of iconic movie stars. Four-foot-tall gilded candelabra sparkled on other tables.
After a welcome toast by SC President Kathy Cook (a 37-year member), former Chicago Bear Ray McElroy was introduced. He has devoted his post-football career to his nonprofit, A Ray of Hope on Earth, that provides inner city youth with exposure to sports. He thanked the SC for providing a grant for uniforms and equipment and directed guests’ attention to pamphlets on the tables that named over 300 other agencies that have received SC grants.
Co-chairs Marci Holzer and Kristina McGrath had fun with the Cubs’ World Series win. Holzer said, “The women that make up this organization meet challenges in reaching our goals with the same steadfast determination that propelled our Cubs to victory.” They presented a video created by Anheuser-Busch that, through the magic of modern technology, portrayed the late broadcaster Harry Caray calling the final out of the winning game.
A live auction, conducted by John Walcher of John Toomey Gallery, included two tickets to Super Bowl 2017 in Houston that sold for $6,000, and a ski trip at a private home in Deer Valley, Utah, that sold twice at $7,500 each. After dinner, the Stanley Paul Orchestra played old standards mixed with modern tunes as the black-tie clad crowd filled the dance floor.
Cook summed up the mission of the organization. “The Service Club of Chicago gives to those who help others. The heart of the club is our Philanthropic Grant Program. Every year, all of our annual proceeds are distributed to needy charities all over greater Chicago. Agencies submit applications, and either they make an in-person presentation or we visit the agency. Our grants are never monetary. We purchase items for the agency that allow them to expand and grow their services. When you support the SC, you are helping to buy kitchen equipment for a homeless shelter, a shuttle bus for an after-school program, textbooks, medical equipment, or to support the arts by providing new items for our nonprofit theaters. Last year, we awarded over $400,000 to agencies in need of our support.”
Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved with many local organizations, including some whose events she covers.
More coverage
Find more photos and events at www.chicagotribune.com/candidcandace. Visit Candid Candace’s website at www.candidcandace.com.
RELATED STORIES:
More Top Picks Best Chainsaws Under 250
Chicago Fire celebrates 100th episode with an epic red carpet party in Chicago
Field Museum Gala honors golden anniversaries
Costume Council gala premieres Mainbocher exhibit
.galleries:after {
content: ”;
display: block;
background-color: #144A7C;
margin: 16px auto 0;
height: 5px;
width: 100px;
}
.galleries:before {
content: “Life & Style Photos and Video”;
display: block;
font: 700 23px/25px Georgia,serif;
text-align: center;
color: #1e1e1e;
var playlist = ‘chi_life_style’,
layout = ‘autoblurb’,
iu = ‘%2F4011%2Ftrb.chicagotribune%2Ffeature’;