2011 Annual Report - How-Inc.org

Events and Celebrations
This year’s gala dinner and auction, HOW Very Exceptional, took place at The
Field Museum and hosted over 400 guests raising a record-breaking $220,000.
“We are truly humbled by the support of our donors, friends and family. In the
last four years, this event has doubled in both the amount of money raised and the
number of guests May due to their continued belief in our mission” reflected James Fox,
HOW Board President.
HOW would like to thank our Honorary Chair, Emery Moorehead, 1985 Super Bowl
Champion and Chairman of North Shore Barrington Board of REALTORS for sharing
the value of building tools necessary to be successful and self-sufficient; the evening’s
Emcee, Val Warner, Host of Windy City Live, for making the evening unforgettable
with her energy, humor and compassion; and our Presenting Sponsor, Kirkland & Ellis
LLP for their on-going participation and support of our mission. Most of all, HOW
would like to thank the evening’s honored guest and client, Denise Charleston, and
her family for sharing her personal story of strength and perseverance as she builds a
new life for herself and children.
This last winter, HOW volunteers Gretchen Oschman and Jennifer Greenow,
coordinated a family fundraiser Beat the Winter Blues at the Skokie Theatre. The
evening’s entertainment, Marcus Gentry, belted out 50’s and 60’s classics including
Elvis, The Drifters, Ray Charles and more. Staff, friends and guests rocked out both
in the audience and on stage in honor of HOW’s life-saving work. The highlight of
the evening came with a testimonial by HOW client, Tracy Saunders, who shared
the challenges in stabilizing both her own life and her daughters. HOW would like
to thank Al Curtis, manager of the Skokie Theater, for his assistance in planning the
event.