CASINO NIGHT 2011
Have A Heart / Heal A Heart!
October 1, 2011, at Exmoor Country Club, Highland Park, IL
According to Pediatrics Journal, bad economic times reduce financial support of charities when we need it most and lead to more childhood physical and sexual abuse. Faced with the double-whammy of greater demand for youth counseling and advocacy services, and the prospect of less state funding Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center did just what you’d expect...we got our friends together and made positive things happen!
Thanks to the generosity of our wonderful underwriters Jon Mills and Morris Belzberg, this year’s “Have A Heart/Heal A Heart” event was our most successful ever – welcoming 220+ attendees and netting $209,000 for ZCenter’s children’s advocacy and counseling programs.
It also emphasized “Art as a Healing Force” through stunning survivor art and the moving words and music of world-class soloist and 2006 Judith Dawn Memorial Fund recipient Heather Aranyi. Thank you for making this our best Casino Night ever!
The evening also showcased our incredible ZCenter staff, the generosity of our “Aunts & Uncles” Club members who give $1,000 or more each year to support child advocacy and counseling, a fun silent auction, and a hugely successful live auction hosted by “Wildcard Celebrity Host” Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World and Good Sam.
“Marcus was absolutely phenomenal,” said ZCenter’s Director of Development Joe Howard. “He pushed the auction to record numbers and connected people every step of the way to the real reason for the auction: supporting this cause. He made everyone who is a part of the organization very proud.”
Heather, survivor of sexual abuse, shares her story:
Heather shares a song:
CASINO NIGHT Guest Photos:
View & Order Prints
Photos courtesy of Kathleen Weinstein Photography