14th Annual Harvest Ball Raises $400,000

GLENCOE, Ill. (Sept. 25, 2012) — The Guild of the Chicago Botanic Garden recently hosted the 14th Annual Harvest Ball, drawing 450 guests to the beautiful early fall grounds of the Chicago Botanic Garden. The 2012 Harvest Ball raised $400,000 to benefit the Chicago Botanic Garden's youth and teacher education programs. Through these programs, the Garden seeks to inspire a lifelong interest in science and respect for our environment.    

Guests for the black-tie garden party were greeted with Moët & Chandon champagne as they walked from the West Portico to a cocktail reception and silent auction in Nichols Hall.

Calihan Catering prepared the hors d'oeuvres and dinner, which began with an heirloom tomato and Capriole Farm goat cheese tart with Persian cucumbers and sherry vinaigrette. The entrée was grilled beef tenderloin with oxtail reduction, Gruyere cheese, potato and cauliflower gratin and haricot verts, roasted cherry tomatoes and Brussels sprouts. Dessert was fudge and caramel chocolate tart. Botanicals designed the décor, which consisted of various centerpieces including glass lamps, tall wax-flower topiaries and low arrangements of white, pink and salmon roses, orange ranunculus, and gold gourds and pumpkins. Gentleman of Leisure played while guests danced the night away.

A live auction held during dinner featured domestic and international vacation packages, including a winter vacation to a private home in Montana; skybox tickets to a Chicago Bears game; New York Fashion Week in February, 2013; a trip to London and Paris; and a vacation package to Amangiri Resort in Utah and Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Arizona.

The 2012 Harvest Ball was co-chaired by Guild members Sally Brown Thilman of Chicago and Caroline Masterson of Lake Forest. Auction co-chairs were Megan Hoffmann of Winnetka, Emily DeGroot of Chicago and Kendra Thornton of Winnetka. The annual Ball, attended by more than 500 of Chicago’s civic leaders, has raised more than $2.5 million to date for the Garden’s education, environmental and children’s programs.

Established in 1998, the Guild supports the Garden through service projects, as well as fundraising events. Led by co-presidents Lindsey Axel of Chicago and Riley O’Neil of Chicago, the group has more than 100 members representing a diverse collection of young leaders from the Chicago area.

Support for the 2012 Harvest Ball was provided by American Airlines, Moët & Chandon and Wirtz Beverage Group. For more information about the Guild or the Harvest Ball, call (847) 835-6830.