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Misericordia scores points with March Madness
Misericordia March Madness co-chairs Gretchen McCarty of Hinsdale, Theresa McClear of Clarendon Hills and Katy Lee of Hinsdale at the 2012 fundraiser. | Steve Johnston~for Sun-Times Media
Event:
Misericordia March Madness
Benefiting:
Misericordia Home/Heart of Mercy
Attending:
420
Raised: $200,000+
More info:
Misericordia Home in Chicago serves more than 600 children and adults with mild to profound developmental disabilities. To learn more, visit misericordia.com.
Article Extras
The Misericordia Women’s League held a March Madness benefit on March 16 at the Chicago Marriott Southwest in Burr Ridge.
The energetic event had fun with both the sports theme and the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. The Chicago Bulls’ Luvabulls worked the crowd selling raffle squares during the cocktail hour while green beer flowed and green Misericordia shirts not only served as table decor but were also proudly paraded throughout the evening.
Auction items included an eye-popping amount of local sports memorabilia and opportunities. All auction items were bid on using smart phones or iPads, giving a 25 percent increase in monies raised. Guests also could try their hand at a wine cork game by purchasing a cork that matched up to a corresponding bottle of wine worth $30 to $100.
The famed Hearts & Flour Bakery, which is run by Misericordia residents, set up a booth, offering attendees the chance to purchase bakery items, including soda bread, gift baskets and college care packages.
Dancers from the Mulhern School of Irish Dance performed as guests entered the dining area. Two residents, twin brothers Patrick and Paul Patterson, performed a special basketball routine. Sister Rosemary, director of Misericordia/Heart of Mercy, added inspirational and extremely grateful words about the home and its mission.
Scott Early, a professional auctioneer who also has a son at Misericordia, ran the live auction.
Following dinner, a paddle raise allowed attendees to make donations toward specific services for residents and clients.
And the college basketball tournament was never far from anyone’s mind. Large screen TVs streamed continuous coverage from the cocktail reception through dinner and post-dinner.
“The state has such limited means of providing for people who live in these types of arrangement,” said Gretchen McCarty of Hinsdale, who co-chaired the event. “Private funding is really important to organizations like Misericordia. It’s such a unique place in that it provides for its residents, not just offering care but also giving them integrity and offering them the best life they can give with whatever their disability might be.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit the new Personal Effectiveness Program, which uses interactive and visually supported technology, including iPads and SmartBoards, to help residents gain or enhance skills in the areas of concentrating, waiting, asking for help appropriately, making choices, and accepting correction or redirection. The program also helps residents improve self-monitoring behaviors and social skills.
