Gift of knowledge will keep on giving
They pointed to the book, they finished its rhymes and they giggled as they watched the snowy character's antics -- page by page. Lifton's grandfatherlike demeanor and animated voice transformed these little ones from Herbert Elementary School last week into a make-believe world. And that was the intention.
Gathered around a "Tree of Learning" constructed of 1,000 books, employees of Chicagoland Hilton properties raised $5,000 to contribute materials to the program Working in the Schools. The nonprofit's goal is to raise the literacy and competency levels of low-income and minority Chicago public school students, enlisting community volunteers to mentor and tutor them. Executive director is Jenne Myers. Lifton, chairman emeritus of WITS, was joined by board co-chairs Roger and Ginny Carlson and president Ronald Sonenthal as well as Robert Allegrini, WITS board member and Hilton's regional director of corporate communications; Nancy Lally, Hilton Chicago's area director of human resources, and Christina M. Tus, Hilton Chicago's public relations coordinator and architect of the tree of books.
But the children were the focal point. They munched on sugar cookies dipped in icing, sang "Must Be Santa," and then they departed with a swiftness, holding close their own take-away gift, a pristine copy of Jazzy Miz Mozetta by Brenda C. Roberts. They were soon to be enriched by yet another tale.
"The whole community grows as this generation is more educated," said Ginny Carlson. "We give them a stronger education so they can compete. I want to level the playground."
Get out your PDAs and calendars. It's time to enter a few social dates and causes worth checking out. Here is a partial list of the happenings for 2007.
Jan. 12: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 2nd annual Metropolis Melt Down Wine & Cheese Party and Disco Night, Arlington Heights, (847-577-2121).
Jan. 13: Chicago Cares, Chicago Cares Celebration of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Union Station and project sites throughout Chicago, (312-780-0800).
Jan. 18: Chicago Bulls' CharitaBulls, 18th annual FestaBulls, United Center, (312-455-4122).
Jan. 20: Schools of St. Benedict, American English Concert, 3942 N. Bell, (773-539-0066).
Jan. 27: Museum of Science and Industry, 24th annual Black Creativity Gala, at the museum, (773-947-3729).
Jan. 28: Catholic Charities, d'VINE Affair: A Tasting of Fine Wines, Union League Club of Chicago, (312-948-6797).
Jan. 29: Goodman Theatre, Fame Fantasy Adventure Auction, the Casino, (312-443-3811, ext 586).
Feb. 1: Friends of Chicago Animal Care & Control, Wine & Howl benefit, Artisan Cellar Wine Shop, Merchandise Mart, (773-779-5709).
Feb. 3: Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers, Crystal Heart Ball, Field Museum, (708-229-5066).
Feb. 6: Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, 2006 annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner honoring Michael Krasny, Larry Levy, Richard Kiphart and guest speaker Madeleine Albright, Hyatt Regency, (847-491-0905).
Feb. 8: Several nonprofits, 2007 Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity, benefitting 19 Chicago area charities, McCormick Place, (www.chicagoautoshow.com).
Feb. 9: St. Benedict High School, Art Auction, 3900 N. Leavitt, (773-539-0066).
Feb. 10: Carcinoid Cancer Foundation Inc., Zebra Ball -- Stars for the Stripes, Peninsula Chicago, (847-571-4628).
Feb. 12: March of Dimes, Comcast Sports Net Sports Awards, Hilton Chicago, (312-596-4721).
Feb. 14: American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, Midwest Regional Office, Heart of Gold luncheon honoring Kathy Posner, Hilton Chicago (847-410-0340).
Feb. 16: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Metropolis Mardi Gras, Arlington Heights, (847-577-2121).
Feb. 17: AIDSCare, "Fat Saturday Ball" gala, Galleria Marchetti, (773-359-0120).
Feb. 20: The Chicago Bar Foundation Young Professionals Board and the Greater Chicago Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators, 7th annual Fat Tuesday Challenge, at North Beach Chicago, (312-554-1204).
Feb. 23: Concern Worldwide, 9th annual Concern Worldwide Brigid Awards luncheon, Hyatt Regency Chicago, (312-431-8400).
Feb. 24: Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, 14th annual Bear Tie Ball, Union Station, (312-836-2327, ext. 21).
March 3: Science & Arts Academy, annual Spring Gala & Auction, Rosemont Hyatt, (847-827-7880, ext. 18).
March 7: Girl Scouts of Chicago, 2007 Tribute to Achievement Dinner, Hilton Chicago, (312-553-2000).
March 9: Shedd Aquarium, Spring Break 2007 benefit, Shedd Aquarium, (312-558-1770, ext. 108).
March 10: Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, tribute dinner honoring Michael Scott, (773-638-1766, ext. 27).
March 13: Restoration Ministries' 11th annual Promises of Spring Fashion Show, Serbian Social Center, Lansing, (708-333-3370).
March 17: The Wolff-Berger-Croft-Kolodny Memorial Chapter of the Leukemia Research Foundation, 28th annual charity auction, Holiday Inn, Skokie, (847-966-9512).
March 22: Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Guild, Chef Fest, Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, (630-833-1400, ext. 41095).
March 24: Midwest Eye-Banks Chicago, "Gift of Sight" gala, Ritz-Carlton, (312-706-9650).
March 25: Eclipse Theatre Company, TOTAL ECLIPSE 2007, an afternoon of cocktails and hors d'oeuvres featuring ensemble members and playwright Pearl Cleage, Blue Water Grill, (312-656-9906).
March 29: Art Institute of Chicago, Leadership Advisory Committee and the Department of Museum Education, "Tanner: American Legacy," honoring the late African-American artist Henry Ossawa Tanner's work, lecture and reception, (312-499-4163).
March 30: Steppenwolf's Auxiliary Council, 5th annual Wine Tasting benefit: "The Red or White Ball," Cafe Brauer, (312-654-5672).