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
Learn more about DuPage Foundation’s 2024 Benefit sponsor partners at dupagefoundation.org/LookingGlass.
