The 16th annual Catholic Charities Gala of the Arts Returns Shine Like A Diamond

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago hosts its 16th Annual Gala of the Arts with the theme Shine Like A Diamond at the historic Navy Pier Grand Ballroom on Friday, September 8th. From 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m., hundreds of Chicago’s most philanthropic, civic and community leaders will enjoy cocktails, dinner, raffle prizes including one guest will really Shine Like A Diamond by winning the one- carat round, brilliant cut diamond gemstone with an appraised value of $6,000 generously donated and authentication provided by Marshall Pierce & Co. In addition, the Art Show and Sale featuring locally and nationally recognized artists. Long-time Catholic Charities supporter Allison Rosati of NBC 5 News as emcee, this annual Gala also marks an important night for the Midwest’s largest social service agency.

This year, Catholic Charities celebrates 100 years of service in Chicago. Proceeds from the Gala benefit the critical Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Program. Every 30 seconds someone turns to Catholic Charities for help and often their first need is with the Emergency Assistance Program to help pay heating bills or receive emergency food or clothing.

The art show and program is chaired by Gerry & Heide Kenny, with vice chaircouple Dennis & Kristina Kelleher. Entertainment for the evening will feature the sounds of Super Diamond-the Neil Diamond tribute band. Super Diamond delivers a glittering performance of Neil’s power ballads and up-tempo hits with unrestrained enthusiasm.

Catholic Charities will present the 2017 Gala of the Arts Mandatum Award to John Glunz, Joseph Glunz, Louis J. Glunz III, Barbara Glunz Donovan and Patricia Spencer for their generosity and unwavering support of Chicagoans in need.This coveted award given annually at the Gala of the Arts is the most prestigious honor that Catholic Charities awards each year.

The Art Show & Sale of the gala features original artwork, photographs and giclee productions by locally and nationally recognized artists. Commissioned pieces will be available. This year the following artists will be featured at the gala Cousandra Armstrong, Alecia Bern, Jacqueline Blatchford, Constance Coulty, Charlotte Cziperle, Tome DeMint, Dennis Downers, Thomas Gianni, Scott Gustafson, Clara Hamlin, Jason E. Jones, Thomas Masters, Mark McMahon, Kathleen Newman, Dennis O’Malley, Linda Roxe. John Suebert and James Wilbat. All of the artists are donating a percentage of their art sales to benefit Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Programs.

Proceeds from Gala of the Arts will directly help to give people in need in the communities where you live and work a chance to move from helplessness to self-sufficiency, with 92 cents of every dollar going directly to programming and services. The Emergency Assistance Program provides a safe place for people to go to find emergency shelter, emergency financial assistance, food, clothing, short-term case management, and referrals for long-term help. Last year, the Emergency Assistance Department provided 1.8 million meals through its food panties and served more than 171,000 hot meals during supper programs with 58,000 Chicagoans spared from homelessness.

The Gala of the Arts would not be possible without support Sage Foundation, Michael & Carol Bilder, Chip & Ellen Mulaney, Jim Serritella, Thomas W. Havey, Bill & Sue McErlean, Richard & Christine Guzior and Richards Building Supply Co., Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C., Eugene & Joanne DeMuro, Dutch Farms, Goldberg Weisman Cairo, LTD Madden, Jiganti, Moore & Sinars LLP, Raymond & Irene Oddi, Jeffrey & Gloria Schwartz. Anthony Serritella, Jerry & Christine Bern, William & Jeanne Hardy, Constantine Jovan, William & Mary Alice Jovan, Kates Detective & Security Agency, Dennis & Kristina Kelleher, Goode Foods

and Peter Kelliher.

WHAT: Gala of the Arts to benefit Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago

WHEN: September 8th

WHERE: The Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Avenue in downtown Chicago

TICKETS: Start at $250 per person includes dinner, dancing and entertainment

DETAILS: www.catholiccharities.net

DRESS: Black tie optional

About Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago

Helping anyone in need for 100 years, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is one of the largest private, not-for-profit social service agencies in the Midwest and the largest Catholic Charities in the country. Every 30 seconds someone counts on Catholic Charities for help. Catholic Charities fulfills the Church’s role in the mission of charity by providing compassionate, competent, professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities. Each year we assist more than 1 million people in Cook and Lake Counties without regard to religious, ethnic or economic background as they journey on their paths to self-sufficiency. For more information, please visit www.catholiccharities.net.

About Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Program

Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Program is often the first point of contact that people in need have with Catholic Charities. These critical programs provide individuals and families in crisis with food, clothing, and financial assistance and then help them address barriers to self-sufficiency. Since the recession began in 2008, Catholic Charities has provided more than 9 million meals to the hungry and homeless at its network of city and suburban emergency food pantries. In fact in 2012, Catholic Charities assumed a City of Chicago program that provides homeless individuals and families with rides to shelters. Since then, our mobile outreach has responded to over 53,000 requests from individuals and families for rides, well-being checks, shelter and the delivery of food boxes. Like all of Catholic Charities’ programs, the Emergency Assistance Programs fulfill their mission to provide charity to anyone in need with compassion, competence and professionalism.