| JOIN US FOR CHICAGO CELEBRATES SERVICE -- 2010 JEFFERSON AWARDS GALA & DINNER ON NOV. 5 AT ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY |
Chicago Celebrates Service
2010 Jefferson Awards Gala Dinner
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Jefferson Awards F Public Service
A Service Star Studded Evening Celebrating The Great American & Chicago Tradition
Of Service & Volunteering &
Honoring The
2010 Chicago Jefferson Award Winners
W. ROCKWELL "ROCKY" WIRTZ – CHICAGO BLACKHAWK CHARITIES
ERIN VAUGHAN - ARAMARK
JONNIE IMERMAN – IMERMAN ANGELS
Adlai E. Stevenson High School Student Leaders – Students In Action Chicago Region Champions
And Celebrate The Greao (Library 10th Floor)
Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres 6:00 p.m.
Ceremonies & Dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets $150 per person
TICKETS & SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE,
BUT SEATING IS LIMITED SO RESERVE YOUR PLACE TODAY!
Proceeds will benefit the Jefferson Awards Chicago Area Youth Leadership,
Volunteer Service & Student Health Programming
* Cocktail Attire *Special Surprises For Information and Tickets:
Contact Charlene at cmcmann146@aol.com or go to http://chicagocelebratesservice.kintera.org
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| Chicago Celebrates Service Jefferson Awards Dinner/Gala 2009 |
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| Mike Marick, Charlene McMann, Sam Beard, Joe Harrington, Scott Seaman |
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On October 22, 2009, Chicago celebrated service at the inaugural edition of Chicago Celebrates Service Jefferson Awards Gala. The evening was a rousing success as we celebrated the great American and Chicago tradition of community and public service and volunteering and the Chicago area Superstars of Service. The celebration was held at the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Guests enjoyed cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres while viewing the magnificent hall of fame memorabilia and silent auction items. The engaging conversations were accented with five screens gently highlighting Chicago’ leading role in the Jefferson Awards’ national call to action for volunteering. The Celebration moved to the dinning area, where guests enjoyed dinner, cocktails, and a program celebrating the Jefferson Awards and the Superstars of Service.
Chicago’s Entertainer, Ron Hawking, got things started with a wonderful rendition of “My Kind of Town.” A brief Jefferson Awards video was played, featuring former U.S. Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
Our mistress of ceremony, the magnificent Allison Rosati of NBC 5 Chicago, warmed the hearts of all in attendance with her touching and heartfelt comments. Allison’s love for the Jefferson Awards and passion for children and charity filled the room. Allison celebrated the 2009 NBC 5 Jefferson Awards recipients. Through their efforts, these “unsung heroes” make an extraordinary difference in the lives of so many. Burn victims, orphans, cancer patients, people needing employment, and communities are among the beneficiaries of the efforts of this year’s Chicago Jefferson Award winners. Recipients David Schury, Kathleen J. Ahler, and Vanessa Strickland joined us for the evening.
Charlene McMann – dinner co-chair, National Board of Selectors, and a Jefferson Award recipient in her own right – welcomed everyone and spoke about service. Charlene introduced Sam Beard. Sam founded the Jefferson Awards in 1972 with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. Sam engaged the crowd with his fascinating life dedicated to public service. Among his many accomplishments, Sam worked with Robert Kennedy, founded and chairs the National Development Council (which is responsible for over $100 billion in revitalization financing and creating over one million jobs), and has led presidential programs for seven United States Presidents.
The Jefferson Awards healthy life-style programming was launched in Chicago – largely through Charlene’s engineering. Sam introduced Sergio Rojas of the NBC 5 fitness team who serves on the JA Chicago board and has been instrumental in our programming. Chicago Department of Health Deputy Commissioner Joe Harrington was on hand.
“Students In Action” – the Jefferson Awards’ high school leadership program that trains our Country’s future leaders and is focused on multiplying volunteering in high schools across the country – was featured. Kelly Voight, who transformed the trauma of being bitten by a dog at age 7 into a non-profit organization educating students and dog owners on safety, shared her story. Student Leader Ted Gonder spoke about his global warming project and relayed the fascinating story about him and other student leaders became part of Al Gore’s global warming team.
Scott Seaman, dinner co-chair and Jefferson Awards National Board of Selector, spoke about the important contributions of the Jefferson Awards Champion companies and Chicago Celebrates Service sponsors. He thanked Jerry Reinsdorf and the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls for their contributions. Scott introduced Christine O’Reilly of the White Sox, who spoke about the important work of the Jefferson Awards and White Sox Volunteer Corps.
Next, the focused shifted to the professional athlete Superstars of Service and to the evening’s honoree, Israel Idoneje of the Chicago Bears. Izzy was selected as the 2009 Chicago Athlete Superstar of Service for his tremendous work with children. Izzy impressed and inspired everyone with his eloquent words, huge heart, bigger than life smile, and genuine commitment to service. Izzy has been nominated for a Jefferson Award through JA’s partnership with Ronnie Lott’s All Stars Helping Kids. Bears legend Mike Pyle (captain of the 1963 Chicago Bears championship team) was on hand to present the award to Izzy.
As guests were enjoying dessert, Erin Vaughan, Vice President of Governmental Affairs at Aramark, introduced Hull House President Clarence Wood. Clarence, eloquent as always, emphasized the importance of volunteering and the many ways people can help others.
The atmosphere was supercharged from beginning to end as the hall of fame was packed with energetic individuals and companies committed to making Chicago and the world a better place. Thanks to all of the attendees, supporters, and sponsors for making the evening so special. To the Superstars of Service – the unsung heroes, the student leaders, the business champions, and the professional athletes – congratulations and thank you for your service!
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The Chicago Celebrates Service video was rolled out at Chicago Celebrates Service - 2009 Jefferson Awards Gala held in October 2009. The video provides the history of the Jefferson Awards founded in 1972 by Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Sam Beard, and Senator Robert Taft, Jr. It highlights Chicago's important role in the Jefferson Awards and features Chris Wallace introducing National Board of Selectors Charlene McMann and Scott Seaman. Former U.S. Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton pay tribute to the Jefferson Awards.
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Join the Jefferson Awards for Public Service for a star-studded evening as we celebrate the great American and Chicago tradition of service and volunteering and honor the 2010 Chicago Jefferson Award Winners Rocky Wirtz (Chicago Blackhawk Charities), Erin Vaughan (ARAMARK), Jonny Imerman (Imerman Angels) and 2010 Students In Action Chicago region Champions Adlai E. Stevenson High School.
Reserve your place today (advance tickets $150 each) or become an event sponsor. The evening will include: cocktails, dinner, and special surprises. Proceeds will benefit the Jefferson Awards Chicago Area Youth Leadership, Volunteer Service, and Health Programming.
For more information about the event, for tickets or sponsorships, contact Charlene at cmcmann146@aol.com or go to http://chicagocelebratesservice.kintera.org.
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