Our Palatine office's recent fundraiser for WINGS included a pie eating contest for sales associates and a pumpkin decorating contest for the kids.  They also held a raffle, a silent auction and a live auction for the big-ticket items.  In all they raised $4,700 and -- combined with their office's annual $2,000 grant -- were able to bestow a total of $6,700 to the organization.

Sales Associates and employees in our Palatine office put on their poodle skirts and rolled up their best white T-shirts to get into the mood for the branch’s “Blast from the Past” fundraiser late last month at The Cotillion.

More than 250 revelers attended the event, bidding on silent auction items and helping the office raise $15,000 for Home of the Sparrow, a charity that helps women in need and their children by providing emergency housing, educational opportunities and family counseling.

The auction’s highest bids went to four tickets for a taping of Oprah!, Chicago Bears’ tickets and golf outings.

Dancers dressed up in their finest 1950s outfits took the floor, enjoying to the sounds of Johnny Star and the Meteors.

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The generous donation was used in a renovation to make the shelter energy efficient. 

Last September, the office threw a “Halfway to St. Patty’s Day” party complete with traditional Irish music and dancers and a silent auction of 90 items – including a laptop computer, jewelry, artwork and golf, theater and dining packages – valued at $15,000. The remaining funds were raised through ticket sales, public donations, Sales Associates’ donations along with the office’s $1,500 grant. 

The Palatine branch was one of only four recipients of the award from the organization. Home of the Sparrow’s mission is to work with local community, religious and government agencies to end homelessness, joblessness and hunger.

The silent auction’s 90 items – including a laptop computer, jewelry, artwork and golf, theater and dining packages – totaled $15,000 in value. The remaining funds were raised through ticket sales, public donations, Sales Associates’ donations along with the office’s $1,500 grant. 

Two bands, the Chicago Rovers and Sweet Jane, played at the event. Also, the McNulty Irish Dancers performed for the crowd as well as taught them a few steps (picture top left and below right). 

Denise LaRocco, who chaired the event, said the office sold 200 tickets before the event and 200 more the night of the event. 

She attributed the success of the evening to “an amazing group of people that volunteered and did an outstanding job at the event.” (A photo of volunteers is at right.)