It was a night for rhinestone cowboys and cowgirls to kick up their heels for a good time and a good cause.
About 250 people did just that last weekend, joining in the line dancing at the Cadillac Ranch in Bartlett after a Texas-size dinner and auction.
But the participants were giving a collective kick with more far-reaching effects as the theme of the evening was Let’s Give MS the Boot.
The dinner, dead-or-alive auction and dance were sponsored by the West Suburban Multiple Sclerosis Auxiliary, a 6-year-old organization dedicated to raising funds for research, raising public awareness of MS and supporting the programs of the Chicago Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The group has grown from six to 66 members.
This year more people than ever attended the group’s fundraiser. People were still trying to get tickets on Saturday as more and more learned about the event. The country-western theme was a big draw, said auxiliary president Nancy Davis of Naperville. “It really got people revved,” she said. “Some people went all the way to Texas to get their costumes for the evening.”
The evening’s theme revved up people’s generosity as well. “We will definitely make between $26,000 and $30,000,” said Maggie Ellithorpe of Lisle, fundraising adviser for the event.
And Carol Drahozal of Wheaton, chairwoman of the event, said that she thinks people’s enthusiasm is high because of MS research. “Great strides are being made in research,” she said.
For most of those in attendance, MS hits close to home. “My husband’s (business) partner has MS,” explained Ann Turner of West Chicago.
Patrons were treated to a Texas-size dinner of chicken, barbecued ribs and corn on the cob, a change of pace from more traditional fundraising events.
Mike and Cindy Hooper of Barrington lived in Houston for nine years before moving to Barrington. “This is the best Texas food for this far north,” Mike Hooper said.
