Press release – December 2, 2024 – Downers Grove, IL: DuPage Foundation celebrated an impactful evening of community philanthropy at its Annual Benefit: Through the Looking Glass, on Saturday, November 9, at The Westin Chicago Lombard, with more than 425 guests in attendance.
Thanks to generous support from donors, community partners, and sponsors, the event has grossed nearly $700,000 to date for the Foundation. This funding is critical in fueling the Foundation’s operations and programs as it works to address our community’s greatest challenges and opportunities through collective impact while supporting area donors and businesses in achieving their philanthropy, locally and beyond. Additional contributions toward the event are expected through year end.
During the event, more than $225,000 was contributed through a paddle raise, thanks in part to a generous $50,000 combined matching challenge provided by Duly Health and Care, Julie and Jeff Curran of Hinsdale, and Earl and Kay Harbaugh of The Villages, FL.
“We are deeply grateful for the amazing generosity displayed by our friends and partners, said Mike Sitrick, DuPage Foundation president & CEO. “It highlights both their trust in our work and the commitment so many in our community share toward investing in local philanthropy.”
As a part of the event, the Foundation announced a $1 million gift from Trustee Emerita Carole Cline of Wheaton to establish the Richard G. and Carole J. Cline Community Impact Fund, a permanently endowed fund at the Foundation to support its annual community grantmaking. A part of Cline’s gift will also help bolster the Foundation’s Operating Endowment.
Benefit guests enjoyed live music and dancing provided by Blue Water Kings and other themed activities.
View event photos at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBSe8V
Members of the event’s Host Committee included:
- Bill and Jennifer Blum, Co-Chairs, Naperville
- Krishna and Meghna Bansal, Naperville
- Christopher and Susan Burke, Naperville
- Steve and Emily Burt, Glen Ellyn
- Joan Morrissey, Wheaton
- Dorothy O’Reilly, Wheaton
- Megan and Steve Shebik, Wheaton
- Mike and Elizabeth Sitrick, Lombard
- Braden and Alice Waverley, Hinsdale
Additionally, the event was made possible through the generosity of many area sponsors including:
Premier Sponsor
- Northern Trust
Matching Challenge Partners
- Duly Health and Care, Lead Matching Challenge Partner
- Julie and Jeff Curran
- Earl and Kay Harbaugh
Queen of Hearts Sponsor
- G. Carl Ball Family Foundation
Top Hat Sponsor
- Rich and Rebecca Cline
- Ernie and Diane Mrozek
- Garden Sponsors
- Busy Butternut
- Calamos
- Al and Patti Gustafson
- Latham & Watkins with Robert and Victoria Fernandez
- Spraying Systems Co.
Tea Party Sponsors
- Capstone Financial Advisors
- College of DuPage
- The Kaiser Family
- Charlie and Kathy McKenna
- The McMahon Family
- Rathje Woodward LLC
- Republic Bank
- Ted and Dianne Saul
- Simon/Myers with Jim and Marci Myers
- Wheaton Bank & Trust
Storybook Sponsors
- Black Diamond Planners
- Wight & Co.
Butterfly Sponsors
- Apparatus Cinema Service
- Blooming Color
- Busey Bank
- Itasca Bank & Trust Co.
- PowerForward DuPage
- Sentinus
