More than 500 people turned out for a gala fundraiser Saturday night for Jackson Park Hospital and Medical Center. The centerpiece of this glitzy celebration was the honoring of three people important to the historic community hospital.
They were: Humanitarian of the Year, John T. Hooker, vice president of governmental affairs for Commonwealth Edison; Physician of the Year, James C. Daniels; and Employee of the Year, Joan B. Zerbe.
After a cocktail hour, the crowd was shepherded into the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Chicago hotel. The room was festooned with gold, black and silver mylar balloons. Guests dined on a dinner of beef tenderloin and seared salmon, and finished with a chocolate laced pastry tulip.
Chairing the fest was Gary Jefferson. Proceeds from the $250-per-person fundraiser will go toward the expansion and renovation of the hospital’s Obstetrics/Gynecology Building.
– It was gustatory delight Sunday at the Drake Hotel as hundreds gathered to taste the best handiwork of some of the top chefs in the area. The event was “Bread and Roses,” a benefit for Rainbow House, which raises funds and awareness for services for battered women and their children.
A silent auction and champagne reception began the evening, with guests bidding on items such as restaurant gift certificates, caviar and tickets to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. While perusing the items, guests gobbled up individual smoked salmon pizzas and cheese tarts from Peggy Ryan of Va Pensiero.
Before dinner, three were honored for their efforts on behalf of the organization. The Individual Courage Award went to Geraldine Linas, founder and former executive director of Rainbow House; the Individual Advocacy Award was awarded to Marnie Whelan-DeVos; and the Northern Trust Company was the recipient of the Corporate Leadership Award.
Greeting the guests was new executive director Deirdre Cutliffe. Chefs from such restaurants as Soul Kitchen, Trio and Oo la la created a dinner that began with an appetizer of portobello mushrooms, moved on to a salad of baby greens and climaxed with teriyaki salmon and filet mignon. Dessert was profiteroles.
– Coming up: The 1998 Infinitec Award Dinner will be held June 22 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 E. North Water St. Hosted by United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago, the event will honor Richard E. Terry, chairman and CEO of People’s Energy Corporation, and Fran Preston, program director for WLS-TV. Chairing the event is Alger B. Chapman, vice chairman of ABN AMRO Corporation.
The awards are named for the group’s Infinitec project, which strives to improve access to assistive technology for people with disabilities. For ticket information, call 312-553-2000.
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