It’s a first! In the 24 years that Alexian Brothers Foundation has been sponsoring its premier philanthropic gala, this is the first time it will be held at a downtown Chicago venue. The Alexian Brothers Foundation Ball de Fleur will take over the world-renowned Field Museum of Natural History on Saturday, May 1, 2010 as part of a fund raising effort for its multiyear capital campaign to provide new expanded healthcare facilities and services.
“Dining among dinosaurs and prehistoric baby mammoths is not something you get to do every day,” said Mark Frey, CEO, Alexian Brothers Hospital Network. “This year’s Ball de Fleur at the historic Field Museum is an incredible opportunity to come out and support our efforts to better serve the healthcare needs of our community. The Alexian Brothers continue to stand strong and shine as beacons of hope for those in need.”
Complete with the theme “Field Trip to India,” the 24th Annual Ball de Fleur will take place in the shadow of “Sue,” the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurs Rex specimen ever discovered, located in Stanley Field Hall. Before guests dine on traditional American cuisine with subtle, delicious Indian accents, they can gaze at the dazzling diamonds and glittering jewels in the Grainger Hall of Gems. In addition, guests will be treated to a personal tour of the traveling exhibition, “Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age” where they will meet “Lyuba,” the best preserved baby mammoth in the world.
With a fund raising goal of $350,000, the 2010 Alexian Ball de Fleur already has a strong start with three corporate sponsors. The team of Teleformix, United Marketing Group and DataCo Solutions has committed a combined donation of $50,000 as a Diamond Sponsor for Alexian Brothers Foundation. All Chicago area based companies, Teleformix™ (www.teleformix.com) is a leading developer of CRM/eCRM Enterprise-class software applications, United Marketing Group (www.unitedmarket.com) is a leading developer of affinity membership, loyalty and merchandise products, and DataCo Solutions (www.datacosolutions.com) is a research and marketing analytics business consultancy firm. In addition, Power Construction of Schaumburg (www.powerconstruction.net) is donating $50,000 as a Diamond Sponsor, as is MEA (www.mea911.com), the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network’s emergency department physician group.
The black-tie optional gala will begin at 6:30 p.m. featuring entertainment by an Indian tabla (hand drum) player, Bollywood dancers and instrumental pieces with an Indian flair. Unique to this year’s gala and venue, an open marketplace will be set up showcasing local vendors selling one-of-a-kind and interesting pieces, including jewelry, purses, sports memorabilia and more. This will be in addition to the traditional silent auction coordinated by the Alexian Ball committee. Festivities and dancing with the Bill Pollock Orchestra will continue until 1:00 a.m.
Proceeds from the May 1st Alexian Ball de Fleur will support the Alexian Brothers Foundation “Centuries of Caring – A Future of Excellence” Campaign, which includes the new Children’s Hospital and updating/modernizing of the St. Alexius Medical Center Campus in Hoffman Estates. The event will also support the initiation of a hospice program in Elk Grove Village; and the expansion of services at the Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health in Arlington Heights. In addition, the Capital Campaign will earmark funds for expansion of a developmental pediatrics program to help children with autism, ADHD, Down’s Syndrome and other conditions that affect their health.
Alexian Ball de Fleur tickets are $400.00 each and can be purchased by calling (847) 385-7300. For more information, please visit www.alexianfoundation.org.
