Little City raises $300,000 at Little City Invitational

Little City is thrilled to announce the 54th annual Little City Invitational raised more than $300,000 to help people with developmental disabilities get the services they need.

More than 200 people came out to Twin Orchard Country Club in Long Grove on Monday to participate in one of Chicagoland’s longest running charity golf events that included an 18-hole tournament, an exciting live auction and delectable food and drinks.

The event’s honored guests were Morrie Kellman Humanitarian Award honorees Bob Sherman and Barbara Bradford, who once again displayed their loving spirit and philanthropic generosity with a donation to bolster Little City's mission.

“Bob and Barbara have become champions for people with developmental disabilities through all the time, money and energy they continue to give Little City,” said Shawn Jeffers, executive director of Little City. “In an event meant to honor them, they once again displayed their incredible selflessness, unending generosity and genuine love for all those at Little City we are honored to serve.”

Attendees also had the opportunity to hear first-hand how Little City residents are succeeding in all avenues. Little City’s self-advocacy group, the Icebreakers, was on-hand to talk about the work they are doing at home and in Springfield to help people with developmental disabilities. Little City Special Olympian Ciara Craig also addressed the audience to encourage their support for the life-changing skills learned in the Special Olympics and Recreation programs. Attendees responded by collectively contributing $40,000 to the programs.

Little City wants to thank the dozens of volunteers and sponsors that made the event possible including, Double Eagle Sponsor: Barbara Bradford and Bob Sherman; Par Sponsors: Abt Electronics, Dentons US, LLP., Timothy Desmond, Gianaras Family Foundation, Golub & Company, Hockfield/Rose Families, McHugh Construction, Mesirow Financial, NW Construction LLC., The Private Bank, Ethel & Joel Sharenow, Wintrust Commercial Banking, Wipfli LLP., The Hal Wolken Family & Sonic Drive-Ins, William Blair & Company; Golf Ball Sponsor: Wipfli LLP.; Golf Cap Sponsor: The Private Bank.

About Little City

Being a leader for over 57 years, Little City continues to be inspirational and transformational in developing its 56-acre therapeutic community in Palatine. From a modest beginning of three homes and 16 residents primarily with Down syndrome, Little City has grown into a recognized leader offering a wide array of innovative services to over 1,000 people weekly. In addition to the Palatine location, Little City has a Community Services Office in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood, adult service centers in Palatine and Waukegan, and 13 adult community homes and one children’s group home located throughout suburban Cook and DuPage Counties.

Today, Little City serves over 1,000 individuals with mild to profound disabilities offering an innovative and comprehensive program portfolio that includes vocational training and employment placement, foster care and adoption, home-based family support, health and wellness, recreation and therapeutic activities, disability awareness and community education, day school and an award-winning arts program. Visit www.littlecity.org for more information.