Top Hat Ball February 12, 2011

Marklund will host its 15th Annual Black Tie Gala – “Top Hat Ball Goes Hollywood,” at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, at the Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile, 540 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The gala is black tie preferred, and many guests are planning to attend in “red carpet” couture.
Funds raised will help Marklund, a not-for-profit that provides compassionate care to infants, children and adults with severe developmental disabilities.
Chaired by Mike and Carol Donahue of Geneva, the Top Hat Ball will include touches of glamour befitting its Hollywood theme. Guests will enjoy a Red Carpet experience complete with lights, cameras and paparazzi. There will be fine dining, dancing to the Al Sofia Orchestra and an outstanding live auction.
The Top Hat Ball is known for its lavish live auction items. This year’s auction, chaired by Sue Wick of Lombard, surpasses all others. Auctioneer David Goodman of Chicago’s Auction Results will offer packages that include Emmy and Grammy Award experiences, vacations, and other great travel and one-of-a-kind experiences.

A priceless auction item is two tickets to the 2011 Masters’ Tournament April 9 – 11, in Augusta, Georgia. The package includes airfare on American Airlines and a three night stay at a local home, condo or hotel. In addition, tee-times can be arranged at local courses including Reynolds Plantation.

That’s what friends are for

A highlight of Marklund’s annual Top Hat Ball is the presentation of the prestigious “Friend of the Year” award. This year, the honor goes to a family - Gary, Jean, and Beth Lederer - of St. Charles.

The “Friend of the Year” award began in 1980. The selection is made by the members of Marklund’s Board of Directors. The Friend(s) of the Year must demonstrate in his/her own way, publicly or privately, a heart of gold and the willingness to serve Marklund’s infants, children and adults in ways that will affect their lives significantly, now and in the future.

“The Lederers are such a great family and so involved,” said Jeannine Zupo, director of the Top Hat Ball. “A part of Marklund since 1991, they are a wonderful example of what is possible when a family makes a commitment to serve others and makes it a priority in their lives. They are perfectly well-rounded givers, donating selflessly of their time, treasure, and talent throughout the year.”

During the 1990’s, Gary served on the Marklund Board of Directors for several years and as the board chairman in 1997-1998. The couple sponsors a table every year at the Top Hat Ball, and they consistently do a lead gift for the Fund-in-Need bid at the event, with a match from Gary's employer.

Jean was particularly involved in her son Andrew's care at Marklund before the family moved to England, then Switzerland. She has always been very involved in fundraising for Marklund and has made a significant difference.

Andrew’s sister, Beth, has become the liaison for the Lederer family. Not only does she frequently visit her brother at Marklund, but since 2008, she has volunteered more than 365 hours at the Mill Creek Campus.

A new venue
“Marklund is thrilled to partner with the Chicago Marriott Downtown for the first time, and we are excited to turn their ballroom into a true Hollywood experience,” said Jeannine Zupo, event director. “In addition, the food promises to be something very special.”

The Chicago Marriott is one of only two Marriott’s worldwide that features “Banquet Catering from Scratch,” a concept for cooking for hundreds using only homegrown and homemade food.

For example, typical banquet fare involves frozen chicken patties, whereas the Chicago Marriott uses fresh bone-in, skin-on Freebird chicken from Amish country. The chicken is free-range and contains no antibiotics which means diners are truly getting the best quality chicken available in the Midwest. The skin is left on for extra flavor so the chicken doesn’t need to be smothered in sauce and spices to be delicious.

Even the salad dressings are special. They utilize fresh herbs from the Marriott’s rooftop herb garden, shallots from local farmers, and honey harvested from the thousands of bees living on the Marriott’s Michigan Avenue rooftop.

“This exceptional approach to each menu item is a major reason we selected the Chicago Marriott for our 15th annual Top Hat Ball,” Zupo said. “One would swear that the homemade chicken noodle soup came right from your grandmother’s kitchen.”

Besides Chairpersons Mike and Carol Donahue, Top Hat Ball committee members include Michael J. Ahlert, Jim Armbruster, Lynn Armbruster, Diana Book, Carie Carney, Jeff Cook, Karen J. Golden, Beth Gould, Robert Levy, Randy Lindenberg, Kate McCracken, and Jill Schluntz. Sue Wick serves as auction chairperson.

Guests will enjoy 2008 pricing with tickets available for $300 per person. Table sponsorship opportunities and discounted packages are available. To reserve tickets or for more information, visit http://www.tophatball.com or call Jeannine Zupo, Top Hat Ball director, at 630-624-9874.

Official Website: http://www.tophatball.com