The
Associate Board of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) hosted
the Annual Bearcat Ball on Saturday, October 24, 2009 to benefit the
RIC pediatric charity care fund. The Ball was held in the Yates Gallery
of the Chicago Cultural Center, and honored Illinois Secretary of State,
Jesse White.
Why is this party named, The Bearcat Ball? It is named for
the StutzBearcat, a luxury automobile manufactured in the 1920’s – the
ultimate statement of style and luxury and the event, now in its 11th
year, has proved to be a memorable evening of style and luxury.
The evening’s
special honoree, Jesse White, is a long-standing champion for the rights
of people with disabilities, including accessibility and equality issues.
A role of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago has been to advance
the ability of patients with a range of conditions such as brain and
spinal cord injury, stroke, cancer and chronic pain since 1954.
As guests
entered the Yates Gallery, they viewed bouquets in cream tones, greens
and burgundies nestled in huge urns and the cabaret tables surrounding
the dance floor held black magic roses and votive candles. The black
tie Ball featured dancing to the music of the Stu Hirsh Orchestra, libations,
hors d’oeuvres, a buffet, a charitable casino and a silent auction.
The attendance numbered over 250 guests with a projected profit for the
Institute estimated at $100,000.
The guests attending included Dr. Joanne
C. Smith, president and CEO of the Rehabilitation Institute and former
RIC president, Dr. Henry Betts. From Chicago were Elizabeth and Edward
Maier, Ginny Berg, Anshu and Ajay
Gupta, Dennis Hull and Kevin and Kirsten
Hull. From the north shore were Lori and Jude
Reyes of Winnetka, Neal
Goss of Glencoe and Catherine and Paul
Hull of Kenilworth.
The Bearcat
Ball co-chairs were Tyler Akeson, Scott Fehlan and Nora
Gilhooly of Chicago.
Others on the planning committee included Amy and Clay
Brock, Corbett
Ryan of Winnetka, John Scully III of Wilmette and Laura
Pils of Cary.
