Mayor’s Community Charity Ball Sets Records

More than $41,000 Distributed to Local Charities, Organizations

The 13th Annual Mayor’s Community Charity Ball proved once again that the generosity of our community grows each year, as the event saw increases in attendance and profits, making the resulting donations greater than ever before

Nearly 450 people attended the event on November 15 at Alta Villa Banquets, enjoying an evening of dinner, music and dancing, and bidding on more than 100 items in the Silent Auction.

The result was overwhelming – more than $41,000 was raised and distributed to local charities and service organizations.  This is an increase of more than $3,000 over last year.

“Times are tough right now, but Addison has shown that when times are tough, we have to step up and help out those less fortunate than ourselves,” said Mayor Larry Hartwig, host of the event.

Of the money raised by the $55 dinner ticket, half goes back to the organization from which the ticket was purchased, allowing 14 separate agencies to raise money for their causes.  All of these agencies are within Addison, and will use the funds for local causes and projects.

Nearly half of the profits were raised by the Silent Auction, which gave people the opportunity to get a head start on their holiday shopping, no matter what there budget was.  From gift baskets in the $30 - $50 range, to sporting event  and theater tickets, weekend getaways, to the mink coat, offered by the Woman’s Club of Addison.  Participating organizations keep 100 percent of the profits of the items they sell at the silent auction.

And three lucky winners actually went home with a little extra money as the 2nd Annual Raffle passed out prizes of $1,000, $500 and $250.  The raffle raised $7,000 in profits.

Agencies who participated in the event included the Addison Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Addison Center for the Arts, Concord Lutheran School, Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, Woman’s Club, Addison Trail Theater Boosters and Music Boosters, Knights of Columbus, Sertoma Club, Lions Club, American Association of University Women – Addison Chapter, and for the first time, Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA).

All money raised by tickets sold on behalf of the Village are donated by Mayor Hartwig.  This year, he chose to support the Addison Community Switchboard, and to make an additional donation to NEDSRA in recognition of their 25 years of serving the disabled in our area. 

This donation will be used to sponsor two worthwhile NEDSRA programs:  Inclusion, which allows for a “leisure buddy” to assist a disabled resident in taking participating in a class or program in his own park district or recreation department alongside non-disabled peers; and Scholarships, providing financial assistance to allow residents to participate in NEDSRA programs they would otherwise be unable to afford.

Next year’s event is already being planned, and everyone is urged to mark the date on their calendars now – please plan to join us for the 14th annual Mayor’s Community Charity Ball on Saturday, November 13, 2004 at Empress Banquets.  For more information, or to be added to the invitation list, please call 693-7550.

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