Chicago Children’s Museum 2011 Gala
January 17, 2012 5:54PM
Lou and Yvette Klobuchar of North Barrington | Photo courtesy of Ana Miyares
BENEFITING: Chicago Children’s Museum
DATE: Nov. 5, 2011
LOCATION: Grand Ballroom, Navy Pier, Chicago
ATTENDED: 500+
RAISED $840,000+
Article Extras
Updated: February 3, 2012 1:58PM
On Nov. 5, Chicago Children’s Museum (CCM) celebrated in style with its 2011 Gala: Learn Together!, the museum’s annual fundraising event. The event drew more than 500 guests to Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom and raised more than $840,000 for the museum.
The evening’s theme, Learn Together!, was inspired by the museum’s deep commitment to the power of intergenerational, cross-cultural and hands-on learning.
During cocktails, guests perused the silent auction, which featured a range of fabulous prizes, including a Zamboni ride and four 100-level tickets to a Chicago Blackhawks game; ceremonial first pitch honors at an upcoming Chicago Cubs game; a week-long vacation stay at any of Interval International’s properties around the world and an 18-karat yellow gold and diamond necklace from Ehrlooms.
At dinner, guests enjoyed an apple blossom salad, soy-ginger braised beef short ribs, honey-glazed salmon and a variety of seasonal vegetables. Dessert featured red velvet cheesecake generously donated by Eli’s Cheesecake.
The live auction facilitated by auctioneer David Goodman of Auction Results included four tickets and backstage passes to Lady Gaga’s next Chicago appearance, including an after party at Table Fifty-Two and a luxury town car for transportation; a week-long trip for up to 10 people to an Exclusive Resorts Destination Club multi-million dollar villa; a package featuring four tickets to see Saturday Night Live, four VIP tickets to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, two VIP tickets and a backstage tour for two at The Colbert Report, and two nights at the Sofitel; an exclusive Van Cleef and Arpels Lady Arpels Papillon watch in Yellow Gold and White Mother of Pearl Dial valued at more than $13,000, paired with a three-night “Shangri-La” package at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa and first-class domestic airfare for two, compliments of American Airlines and an adventurous, all-inclusive six-day vacation in a private cabin residence at the new and exclusive Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, courtesy of American Airlines.
The announcement of this year’s raffle prize, a seven-night, seven-day vacation for up to 8 in a gorgeous Italian 17th century villa farmhouse, concluded the evening.
Co-chairs of this year’s Gala were Justin Friesen, Mary Liz Lehman and Steve Solomon. The lead sponsors of the event were Allstate, BDT Capital Partners, Exelon and The Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation.
Next year’s event is set for November 3, 2012.
The mission of Chicago Children’s Museum is to create a community where play and learning connect. CCM is the only cultural institution in the city dedicated to young children and the important adults in their lives. Playful experiences, including more than 15 interactive exhibits, tap into how kids learn, and engage them at an early age so they develop a lifelong love of learning. Located at Navy Pier, at 700 E. Grand Ave., CCM is the final stop for CTA buses #29, #65, #66 and #124. For more information, please visitchicagochildrensmuseum.org.
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