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Community Corner

Chicago Lights Hosts Second Annual "GLOW" Gala at Museum of Contemporary Art

– Young professionals host fundraiser to benefit Chicagoans facing poverty –

CHICAGO – Oct. 3, 2013 – The Chicago Lights Associates Board will host its second annual gala, “GLOW,” a fundraiser to benefit Chicago’s children, youth and adults who face the challenges of poverty. The event, which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (220 E. Chicago Ave.), is hosted by and for young professionals and community supporters.

In addition to exclusive access to the MCA’s art galleries – and fitting to this year’s “neon” theme – all gala attendees will have an opportunity to become artists themselves by writing their “BRIGHT IDEAS” on colorful neon Post-it® Notes to display along the building’s west-facing window.

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About 300 individuals attended last year’s gala, which was also hosted at the MCA. The event raised $39,000 – this year’s goal is $45,000 – and directly benefited Chicago Lights’ six outreach programs: Chicago Lights Urban Farm, Elam Davies Social Service Center, Tutoring, Summer Day, Chicago Lights Academic Success in Schools (CLASS) and Free Write Jail Arts and Literacy. 

“We are excited to once again bring young professionals together in celebration of Chicago Lights’ mission to provide hope and opportunity to members of our community through each of the organization’s six unique programs,” said Chicago Lights Associates Board President Ryann Meyer. “We are committed to helping Chicago Lights continue to have a positive impact on our community through social services, educational programs, and community outreach efforts, and this is a fun way to do so while making a significant difference.”

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Chicago Lights has served more than 50,000 Chicago residents since its first program, Tutoring, began in 1964. Programs and services are offered at Fourth Presbyterian Church in the Near North neighborhood, in several elementary schools,  and in the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. Each year, the organization serves 4,000 individuals of all races, ethnic backgrounds, and religious traditions.

Chicago DJ Sye Young, one of the city’s most popular DJs, will provide the evening’s entertainment. The event will also feature appetizers and late night snacks from Wolfgang Puck Catering, and complimentary beverages of beer, wine, and specialty cocktails. In-kind donors include Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Goose Island, Svedka, Crafthouse Cocktails, Glenfiddich, Hendricks Gin, Virtue Cider and RumChata, as well as Anna Held Floral Studio, Groupon Inc., CitySwarm and Uber. The gala will also feature cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery and a colorful candy buffet.

The gala will also host a drawing featuring six signature packages and a silent auction. In the silent auction, guests will have opportunity to win a “Glow Luxury” Bvlgari package, which includes a men’s wallet and tie for him and a women’s wallet and scarf for her – a $2,000 value.

Attendees will also have an opportunity to win the “Get Glowing” package. This $6,000 value includes a seven-night Barbados resort vacation for two at The Club Barbados Resort & Spa and two round-trip airfare vouchers from JetBlue Airways to reach this destination.

This year’s gala corporate sponsors are the CME Group, KIA Motors, Texor Petroleum Co., William F. O’Connor Foundation, Gator Trading Partners LLC, Sikich LLP, Streeterville Properties, Twinkling Stars Daycare and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc.

Tickets are $100 and can be purchased in advance online at www.glowgala.eventbrite.com. Tickets are also available the day of the event for $115, both online and at the door. Please visit www.chicagolights.org for more details.

 

About Chicago Lights
Chicago Lights is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community outreach organization committed to providing social services, meals, tutoring, job-training, and educational programs to Chicago’s children, youth and adults who face the challenges of poverty. Headquartered at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago Lights empowers 4,000 people each year to thrive academically, secure economic stability, lead healthy lives, and build community.

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