LF_122718

LakeForestLeader.com Life & Arts
the lake forest leader | December 27, 2018 | 21
Over $350,000 raised for REACH,
education for Chicago West Side students
Submitted by the Woman’s
Board of Rush University
Medical Center
The Woman’s Board of
Rush University Medical
Center presented its second
annual fall benefit, An
Evening of Whimsy, on
Oct. 19, at The Art Institute
of Chicago. The party
drew nearly 300 Chicagoarea
civic and social leaders
and featured cocktails
in the Chicago Stock Exchange
Trading Room,
a seated dinner in Griffin
Court and post-dinner
dancing to the sounds of
Indigo.
Guests entered the
event on the east side of
the Art Institute where
they paused to have their
portraits snapped in front
of the striking Chagall
windows, while making
their way the cocktail
reception. Many were
delighted by characters
called “Whimsies” – posing
with these mysterious
models on a photo wall
designed by event planner
Steven Valenti.
An Evening of Whimsy
was chaired by Chicago’s
Samantha Schwalm and
raised more than $350,000
– helping the Woman’s
Board achieve its goal
of raising $450,000 to
expand the Rush Education
and Career Hub, or
REACH.
REACH is an education
and workforce development
program that provides
college readiness
programs, mentoring and
internship programs to
high school and college
students from Chicago’s
West Side communities.
Dr. Larry Goodman,
CEO of Rush University
Medical Center, and
Woman Board President
Debra Beck addressed the
group during cocktails,
speaking to the organization’s
commitment to help
youth establish careers
in healthcare and how
these jobs will improve
the overall health and
well-being of the nine diverse
neighborhoods that
comprise Chicago’s West
Side.
Julie (left) and Steve Valenti, of Lake Forest. Photos
Submitted
Mirja Haffner (left), of Chicago and Marion Rice, of Lake
Bluff.
Susan (left) and Philip Merlin, of Lake Forest.