Attend an event The Cradle Foundation offers a full spectrum of events throughout the year, to raise funds for The Cradle's programs and services and provide opportunities for Cradle families and friends to come together.
When: Saturday, September 29th, 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Where: The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago Tickets: $325 per person
Ticket price includes:
- Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres - Live music - Gourmet seated dinner - Unique auctions, raffle prizes and more!
This annual gala is The Cradle’s premier fundraising event. Since 1995, this event has raised more than $3.6 million to help The Cradle create and sustain families through adoption. The Cradle has helped thousands of children from around the world find loving homes, therefore, it is with pleasure that we gather together on this night to celebrate and raise awareness and funds to support adoption. The Cradle Ball is Co-Chaired by Cradle Board members Erin Dickes and John Luce, Cradle Dad.
For more information please contact Bonnie Krasny, Events Manager, at 847.733.3234 or bkrasny@cradle.org.
The 2011 Cradle Ball
The nearly 270 guests who attended the 17th annual Cradle Ball on Saturday, September 24 at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago dined on tenderloin and halibut, danced between courses, and helped generate over $135,000 for The Cradle. Aon Corporation and Northern Trust were the Ball’s lead sponsors.
“It was a fantastic evening,” said Ball co-chairs Erin Dickes and John Luce, who also serve on The Cradle Board of Directors. “There was tremendous energy throughout the room – whether guests were bidding on auction items or dancing to the outstanding music of GreenLight. Zoraida Sambolin did an amazing job as celebrity emcee, and our sponsors and guests were so generous.”
Zoraida is the Weekday Edition co-anchor of Chicago’s NBC 5 News Today and a good friend of The Cradle, having emceed a fundraiser for The Cradle’s Sayers Center for African American Adoption in 2009. Her guest at the Ball was Kenny Williams, general manager of the Chicago White Sox. Also in attendance were Zoraida’s former colleague and legendary Chicago newsman Art Norman – who spent nearly 30 years at NBC 5 before retiring in 2009 – as well as her current intern, Michael Esparza.
During the evening’s revenue auction, Zoraida came up with an inspired idea. Guests were invited to pledge their support toward specific Cradle needs, such as supplies for the Nursery or maintenance of our toll-free phone line for expectant women in honor of her intern Michael Esparza. Whereas the bidding started at $100, Zoraida asked, “What will $50 purchase?” That prompted a flurry of contributions at the $50 level – including the first one from Zoraida!
Other highlights of the evening included an extensive silent auction with electronic bidding via keypads; a live auction for luxury trips to Palm Desert, California, Big Sky Montana and Punta Mita, Mexico; and a raffle to win a two-year prepaid lease on a 2011 Mini Cooper.
The 2011 Silver Cradle Awards were also presented during the Ball. Launched in 2003, The Silver Cradle program recognizes Chicago area companies that support their employees by providing adoption related benefits and resources. Representatives from recipient companies who attended the Ball received a personally engraved sterling silver baby cup, generously donated by Tiffany & Co.
The Cradle’s premier annual gala, the Ball has raised more than $3.6 million since 1995 in support of The Cradle’s exemplary programs and services for pregnant women, infants and families.
The Silver Cradle Awardis presented at the Cradle Ball. This award honors Chicago area companies that provide exceptional adoption benefits for their employees. To apply for the 2012 Silver Cradle Award please contact Bonnie Krasny at 847.733.3234 or bkrasny@cradle.org.
Cradle Ball Committee 2011
Erin Dickes and John Luce, Cradle Ball Co-Chairs
Charlie Boesel Rick Boynton Libby Brombach Toni DiDonato Amy Geer Trish Henry Jenny Maroney Corinne McClintic Michael Walsh
