OSF-Little Company Of Mary Crystal Heart Ball Raises $450K

EVERGREEN PARK, IL – More than 670 guests gathered at OSF HealthCare Foundation Little Company of Mary Medical Center Crystal Heart Ball on Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Field Museum to honor WGN general assignment reporter Patrick Elwood with the Venerable Mary Potter Humanitarian award. The premiere gala, the largest on Chicago’s southwest side, raised $450,000, with proceeds benefiting OSF Little Company of Mary’s Emergency Department modernization project.

Guests danced the night away to the musical stylings by Maggie Speaks and the Talk of the Town Big Band, while experiencing international cultures and artifacts from around the world. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Nancy Loo, WGN News reporter.

Each year, the Crystal Heart Ball showcases individuals and organizations for their outstanding accomplishments and service. The Venerable Mary Potter Humanitarian Award honors those whose personal and professional accomplishments embody the ideas, vision and mission of Venerable Mary Potter, who founded the Little Company of Mary Sisters in 1877.

This year, the honoree was Patrick Elwood, a Little Company of Mary baby alum, Crystal Heart Ball Master of Ceremonies since 2012, and a general assignment reporter for WGN News. Patrick was honored for his work with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and the REACT4Ryan Foundation. REACT is the Lt. Ryan Elwood Awareness, Counseling and Training Fund for First Responders in need of mental health and emotional assistance. Elwood and his wife, Katie, reside in Evergreen Park where they raised four children.

Lindsay and Chris Vandenberg chaired this year’s event along with co-chairs Laura and Sushant Taksande, MD. The Foundation raffled a Grand Prize Luxury Vacation for two to Bora Bora, or $15,000, won by John Graham of Lake Forest.