Chicago Botanic Garden

for immediate release

More Than 200 Attend Harvest Ball Kick-off Party
at Louis Vuitton

 

Media Only:
Julie McCaffrey
(847) 835-8213
jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (May 11, 2009) — More than 200 stylish Chicagoans attended a private champagne reception at Louis Vuitton on North Michigan Avenue, hosted by Louis Vuitton and Guild of the Chicago Botanic Garden members Kimberly Burt, Jamee Field and Julie O'Connor. Guests sipped champagne, graciously provided by Moët & Chandon, and enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, generously donated by Calihan Catering, while shopping the luxury boutique. The event was held in support of the annual Harvest Ball, which occurs on the glorious fall grounds of the Chicago Botanic Garden on Saturday, September 26, 2009.

The Eleventh Annual Harvest Ball, a black-tie affair, begins with a cocktail reception and silent auction at
6 p.m. followed by dinner, a live auction that features domestic and international vacation packages and dancing. The Harvest Ball is co-chaired by Guild members Shawna Owen, Lindsey Axel and Laura Anderson.

The annual Ball, attended by more than 500 of Chicago’s civic leaders, has raised more than $2.2 million to date for the Garden’s education, environmental and children’s programs. Proceeds from the 2009 Harvest Ball will benefit the Chicago Botanic Garden's Center for Teaching and Learning, providing educational programs for teachers and youth from pre-Kindergarten through grade 12. Through these programs, the Garden seeks to inspire a life-long interest in the natural world and the sciences, as well as concern and care for our environment.

Established in 1998, the Guild supports the Garden through service projects, as well as fund-raising events. Led by co-presidents Jay Owen, Jr., Chicago, Ill., and Joe Brickman of Lake Forest, the group has more than 100 members representing a diverse collection of young leaders from the Chicago area.

Table packages are available. For more information, call (847) 835-6944. For more information about the Guild or the Harvest Ball, call (847) 835-8353.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.
 
The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. A program of the Chicago Botanic Garden, Windy City Harvest is an organic vegetable and plant production enterprise that provides instruction in sustainable horticulture and urban agriculture to residents of Chicago’s North Lawndale and West Side neighborhoods.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). The Chicago Botanic Garden is also host to Botanic Gardens Conservation International-U.S., and a member of the Center for Plant Conservation. In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.