Pillars Community Health Holds Annual Pillars Ball

LA GRANGE, IL — Pillars Community Health Hosted the 2018 Pillars Ball on Jan. 20 at the Oak Brook Hills Hilton Resort in Oak Brook. The event marked the organization’s first fundraiser as a merged organization, and according to the organization, the new nonprofit is one of only a few organizations in the state to integrate primary medical and dental care with mental health and social services.

The organization said in a release individuals and families in the western and southwestern suburbs now have access to a variety of services (Medical; Dental; Mental Health and Addictions; Domestic and Sexual Violence; Head Start, Early Head Start, and Child Care; Prevention/Health Education and Outreach; and Benefits Assistance) at one organization.

At the 2018 Pillars Ball, 480 area residents attended the event to show their support. In addition to attendees, the gala brought in 75 volunteers, 102 auction and raffle donors, and 29 sponsors including local businesses and community leaders. According to the organization, together they helped raise $250,000 to support the organization’s programs.

“It was a joy to gather together so many long-time supporters of the organization and its legacy organizations—particularly at a time of innovation,” Angela Curran, JD, LLM, who became president and CEO of Pillars Community Health on Jan. 1, said in a release. “For our donors, the merger means that their individual
dollars can have that much broader of an impact on the western and southwestern suburbs.”

Attendees enjoyed cocktails, dinner, a live band, and gaming . A live auction offered opportunities to give back and win something to take home, such as an opal ring or Chicago sports tickets. For a $100 chance, one lucky attendee won the Golden Ticket Raffle, which included only 100 chances to win a weeklong stay in a Tuscan farmhouse in Italy. Another lucky attendee won an instant wine cellar with 100 bottles of premium wines donated by community members.

In addition to welcoming new president and CEO Angela Curran, the organization also took time during the
program to honor Ann C. Schreiner, AM, LCSW, who retired as president and CEO of Pillars on Dec. 31,
2017. The organization said Schreiner received The Pillars Award on stage for her 34 years of work with the organization. In addition, staff surprised her by making a $5,000 donation in her name.

Photo provided by Pillars Community Health.