There were a lot of familiar faces among the 500 guests at last weekend’s Children’s Heart Services Valentine’s party. Several were so well known among the young partygoers that they needed no nametags, only hugs.
Barney, Bugs Bunny, Ronald McDonald, Sylvester and Benny the Bull were all on hand at the Radisson Suite Hotel in Downers Grove for the organization’s eighth annual celebration. But the famous characters were not the guests of honor.
That distinction went to the 172 children with heart conditions whose families belong to Children’s Heart Services. The Bartlett-based organization serves families all over the Chicago area, offering a resource for those dealing with childhood heart defects or disease.
This year’s event was co-chaired by parents Sharon Hunt of Glen Ellyn and Donna Faucher of Hinsdale.
“This is not a fundraiser. It’s just a fun party,” Hunt said, looking around a festive ballroom filled with 400 pink balloons, dozens of clowns and many more delighted youngsters. “We do this for our families.”
Thanks to donors, the entire event was underwritten by sponsors, from the performers to the raffle prizes. “It’s the first year we’ve been able to do that,” Hunt said. “Our donors have been very generous.”
While the heart patients and their siblings had photos taken with the characters, snacked on goodies from the buffet tables and had their faces painted by the clowns, their parents could reflect on a deeper meaning of the day.
Parent Robin Gavin of Palatine has attended the event since its inception and describes the party as much more than a little bit of sunshine on a winter’s day.
“I feel a bond with these people that I don’t have with anyone else,” Gavin said. “This really is a celebration of all of our children,” but especially the children with heart ailments.
And throughout the afternoon it seemed clear that, when it comes to having fun, the children were much more alike than different, regardless of any heart condition.
For example, when winners were drawn in the raffle, it was one Glen Ellyn family’s lucky day. Both heart patient Gina Gibellina, 12, and her brother Jeff, 10, walked away with prizes in their arms and smiles on their faces.
