Billy Elliot Event Draws Profit To Directly Impact Students' Lives; Chicago Lighthouse Women's Board Event 'A Huge Success'
CHICAGO -- 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.
About The Chicago Lighthouse:
Founded in 1906, the Lighthouse is one of the nation’s most comprehensive social service agencies. Also housed under its roof are one of the few remaining manufacturing facilities in America producing clocks that are distributed around the world; a nationally acclaimed school for children who are blind with multi-disabilities; a VA program serving veterans in all 50 states; and a radio station.
About The Women’s Board:
The Women’s Board for The Chicago Lighthouse is a group of women in the Chicago metropolitan area and surrounding suburbs. Recently established, this group raises funds and awareness for the Lighthouse by organizing several fundraising events throughout the year. The Women’s Board directs their contributions to the Lighthouse’s Annual Fund, enabling the organization to continue providing support for its 26 programs and services for people who are blind or visually impaired.
