The Women’s Board for The Chicago Lighthouse presented an outing to the smash hit, Billy Elliot the Musical, at the Oriental Theatre followed by a reception at the acclaimed Hotel Allegro on Sunday, July 11.

The event was a huge success, drawing in 140 guests and raising $26,000 to help people who are blind and visually impaired lead more independent lives. 

"We are grateful for the hard work and planning of our Women’s Board, especially by the benefit co-chairs Anida 'Cookie' Cohen and Peggy Fox Jester," said Janet Szlyk, executive director.  "They created a fabulous evening that will have a lasting impact in the lives of our clients and scholarship winners!"

A portion of the funds raised from the event will go towards the Lighthouse Scholarship Program.  This year, 28 students with ranging visual impairments were awarded $59,000 towards their post-secondary education.  Scholarships were given to students seeking degrees from Associate’s to Doctorate’s; focusing on areas from computer science to law.  The program has an international reach as scholarship winners were chosen from Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom and across the United States.

Click here to view photos from the event.