COMMUNITY SCENE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCELLO RODARTE

Hundreds of guests attended the annual Community House holiday ball in Hinsdale on Dec. 7.

The Community House's fieldhouse was converted into a ballroom to capture the evening's theme, "vibrant legacy, brilliant future."

The night commenced with a "circle of friends" reception, followed by cocktails and a wine auction, and a dinner that included a program and raffle drawing.

All proceeds from the ball will support the manifold programs and services provided by The Community House. ■

For more information about The Community House, visit www.thecommunityhouse.org.

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For a consultation with Dr. Patel to discuss your joint issues, call 630 929 2249 | 550 W. Ogden Avenue, Hinsdale IL 60521

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCELLO RODARTE

Several hundred west suburban residents displayed their support for a bevy of regional charities by attending "A Gilded Affair," the Hinsdale Junior Woman's Club's (HJWC) annual benefit at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago on Feb. 8. Celebrating the HJWC's 70th anniversary, the benefit incorporated a more formal theme, taking to the grand ballroom of an historic Chicago hotel located in the Magnificent Mile north of downtown.

Decked out in black-tie attire, guests checked in on the mezzanine level, before winding their way downstairs to the ballroom.

Ladies relished the opportunity to dance the night away on an enormous dance floor, as Elmwood Park-based DJ Joe Nardi spun tunes throughout the evening.

While some attendees danced, others remained on the mezzanine to try their hand at a host of casino games, with proceeds supporting the HJWC.

Guests also had the option of browsing a series of silent auction items and having their photos taken in front of a sponsorcovered step-and-repeat across from the checkin area.

In the ballroom, the photo booth, sponsored by Larysa Domino of @Properties, was a popular destination for ladies all night.

Benefit managing chair Jeni Graham introduced HJWC president Jen Ashley, who thanked guests for making the hike from the suburbs to the Magnificent Mile.

Ashley encouraged guests to "be generous" as they gambled and bid on silent auction items.

"We are so grateful for your support," she said.

Ashley also commended Graham and her benefit team for their diligent efforts in putting the benefit together.

"So much hard work has gone [into] tonight, and it has been months and months and months and months of work," she said.

The benefit is the largest annual fundraiser for the HJWC, which fulfills grant requests for regional non-profit organizations each year.

Last year, the club provided about $285,000 in support of more than 20 organizations, including The Community House, Wellness House, Just1Mike and Reclaim13. ■

For more information about the Hinsdale Junior Woman's Club, visit www.hjwc.us.

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In order to succeed, it’s important to do the right thing at the right time. STRIVE PROGRAMS develop self discipline to do the right thing and build confidence to take action at the right time STRIVE MARTIAL ARTS is more then kicking and punching.

HM: Your schools are called Strive. What was the inspiration to choose that name? BILL THOMPSON: The definition of Strive is to make great effort to obtain or achieve something. That is exactly what a black belt is. Training for a black belt, regardless of who you are, your age, or what you have done, you start as a white belt, and work your way up to achieve a black belt. There will be challenges and struggles along the way, and that is okay, because along the way, you will change.

HM: How long have you been involved in martial arts? BILL THOMPSON: I started with a friend at 12 years old. I was infatuated with it, and practiced every day. My friend stopped. After becoming a black belt, I began teaching at age 19. At age 21, my master sold me the school, and I became a school owner.

HM: Why is martial arts so beneficial for children? BILL THOMPSON: Most people think martial arts is punching and kicking—it is actually the ultimate success program. Most people come inside and dream of being a black belt. Everything in life is a dream if you do not have goals. In martial arts, there are the smaller goals of yellow belt, orange belt, etc., to achieve black belt. In martial arts, we teach you the skills to achieve those goals: self-confidence, self-discipline, focus.

HM: How important is self-esteem at an early age? BILL THOMPSON: We build self-esteem the first seven to eight years of our lives. Self-esteem comes from accomplishment. Martial arts gives you the tools and abilities to achieve.

HM: What is the greatest benefit of martial arts? BILL THOMPSON: There are a few, but if I were to pick one, it would be self-discipline. It is the foundation of any goal or dream. Selfdiscipline is so important, that two-thirds of Fortune 500 CEOs have martial-arts or military backgrounds.

HM: Is it ever too late to get started in martial arts? BILL THOMPSON: It’s never too late. We always need to be exercising our body and our mind. So many people think fitness is about how much they weigh, of how they look, but it is really about optimal function. Martial arts provide balance, strength, coordination, flexibility. ■

More than 300 area residents showed their support for the Clarendon Hills chapter of the Infant Welfare Society (IWS) of Chicago auxiliary at its annual benefit at Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook on Jan. 25.

Themed "Light Up the Night," the benefit reflected the chapter's signature luminaria fundraiser, an annual tradition in Clarendon Hills for more than five decades.

Attendees poured into the Butterfield clubhouse, attired in their finest evening wear, and enjoyed an hour of camaraderie and refreshments as they browsed an extensive silent auction, before proceeding into the dining room for the program.

After dinner, guests bid on five live auction packages, one of which attracted more than $5,000 to support IWS.

Chapter president Elizabeth Laurence addressed guests, recognizing benefit chairs Jen Van Zant and Amy Ponto, whom she said are "100 percent responsible for this wonderful evening."

Later in the program, IWS CEO Jerry Isikoff spoke to attendees about the growth and evolution of the organization, as well as the auxiliary's role in impacting it.

Maggie Speaks provided live musical entertainment, as guests danced and conversed for the remainder of the evening. ■

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For more information about the Clarendon Hills chapter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago auxiliary, visit www. clarendonhillsinfantwelfare.org.

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More than 300 area residents showed their support for Pillars Community Health (PCH) at its annual ball at Drury Lane on Feb. 1.

Attendees, donors and sponsors collaborated to raise $242,000 for PCH, a non-profit organization that provides health and social services to thousands of residents in the region.

Guests enjoyed dinner, casino-style gaming, live musical entertainment and participated in a live auction.

For more information about Pillars Community Health, visit www.pillarscommunityhealth.org.

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Several hundred local residents gathered to support the Mend A Heart Foundation at its annual Heartfest fundraiser at the Hyatt Lodge on Feb. 8.

This year, the fundraiser adopted a "capes and cocktails" theme, with guests being encouraged to wear either casual or "superhero" attire.

For the first time, Heartfest 2020 was preceded by a half-hour pre-event reception for families that have been impacted by congenital heart disease. All proceeds from the fundraiser are directed towards the Mend A Heart Foundation, which has been supporting children afflicted with congenital heart disease for more than a decade.

For more information about the Mend A Heart Foundation, visit www.mendaheart.org.

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Roughly 360 guests raised $225,000 to support Noah’s Hope-Hope 4 Bridget at “A Fifth Season," its ninth annual Batten disease fundraiser at the Marriott Oakbrook on Nov. 9.

More than $50,000 was raised during the live auction and fund-the-need campaign.

Sara and David Kennicott, and Jennifer and Tracy VanHoutan, founders of Noah’s Hope-Hope 4 Bridget, provided a foundation research update at the event. For more information, visit www.noahshope.com or www.hope4bridget.com.

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