On Friday, February 28, The Ireland Funds’ Chicago Young Leaders hosted a crowd of over 200 at their 10th Annual Green Gala Celebration.
The contemporary, exclusive, loft space CHEZ was transformed into a beautiful green and white St. Patrick’s venue.
The Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band started off the evening with stirring traditional Irish music. They then invited several of the guests to join in the spirit of the evening by demonstrating their Irish step dancing skills.
A short program emceed by Brian Noonan, Radio Personality at WGN-AM & WTMJ-AM, began with the live auction of a trip to Ireland; segued into the showing of a video about the critical work of The Ireland Funds and ended with a general donor appeal.
Guests then enjoyed dancing to Shaun Anthony Signature Entertainment, one of Chicago’s most energetic and engaging D.J.s. At the conclusion of the evening attendees were invited to Timothy O’Toole’s for the after-party.
Chicago Young Leaders Chair, Abbey Canning and Co-Chair James Keeley, thanked all the event’s Committee members for a very successful evening: Ticket Chair: Jack Gordon; Auction Chair: Andrew Hartford; Sponsorship Chairs: Daniel O’Keefe and Quinn McCarthy and the Steering Committee, Tristia Barrett, Michael Collins, Teddy Gilbane, Dan Gibbons, Meghan Lee, Katie Nallon, Thomas O’Neill, Gregory Reintjes, David Shine, Kenzie Ungar, Kathleen Weber and Patrick Zahren.
The Ireland Funds extends a huge thank you to all our sponsors and supporters: American Airlines, GCM Grosvenor, EY, Breakthru Beverage, Illinois & Michigan Oil, CIBC Wealth Management, DLA Piper, Bimeda, Flood Brothers, Premier Catering and Events, Mayo Steel and Erectors, Chicago Cut, Signature Bank and James Sheehan of Dreamtown, and individual donors Patrick and Betsy Canning and Nick & Meredith Parrish.
It was a great evening and fun way to kick off the St. Patrick’s Day season. Most important was the impact the Young Leaders’ fundraising will have on the thousands of outstanding organizations The Ireland Funds supports across the island of Ireland touching the lives of real people, increasing opportunities, and improving society every day.
Photographer: Datu Ramel
