Chicago Botanic Garden

for immediate release

Guild of the Chicago Botanic Garden's Annual Harvest Ball
Raises $325,000 for Center for Teaching and Learning

Chicago Botanic Garden, Saturday September 26

 

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

GLENCOE, Ill. (Oct. 8, 2009) —The Guild of the Chicago Botanic Garden held its Eleventh Annual Harvest Ball recently on the beautiful, early fall grounds of the Chicago Botanic Garden. More than 500 guests attended, raising nearly $325,000 for the Center for Teaching and Learning, which provides educational programs for teachers and youth from prekindergarten through 12th grade. Through these programs, the Garden seeks to inspire a lifelong interest in science and respect for our environment.

Event co-chairs, Guild members Laura Anderson, Lindsey Axel and Shawna Owen, greeted guests as they entered the cocktail reception and silent auction in Nichols Hall. Guests bid on more than 90 auction items in categories such as "Great Escapes," "Date Night," "Game On!," "Sweet Child of Mine," and "Happy Home and Hostess."

After the silent auction, guests walked to a tent on the Esplanade where a live auction was held over dinner. Domestic and international vacation packages were auctioned, including a trip to Australia entitled “Live It Up Down Under: Australia Trip of a Lifetime!;” one week in the city and the countryside in “Tally Ho-Let’s Go England!;” and a chance to throw out the first pitch at a 2010 Cubs home game in “Hey Batter Batter….Sa-wing Batta!” Another auction item that received a lot of interest was a cocktail party for 50 people organized by Chicago’s party planning pro Claudia McLaughlin and catered by Calihan Catering.

The pavilion was dominated by giant centerpieces of pink and yellow dahlias and stunning topiaries hanging above the dance floor, all designed by Bukiety. Dinner, prepared by Calihan Catering, began with a roasted vegetable terrine with Farmer Jones vegetable sauté. The main course was tenderloin of beef with mushroom demi-glace, local harvest haricot vert, yellow and fava beans and Ohio late harvest scallion buttermilk mash potatoes. Dessert was a Michigan raspberry lemon zabaglione and chocolate pot de crème with whipped cream and chocolate gold green garnish. Lynne Jordan and the Shivers kept the dance floor filled through the night.

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

Support for the Harvest Ball was provided by American Airlines, Assouline, Gary Poppins, Great Western Beef, Moët & Chandon, Swirlz Cupcakes, and Veranda Magazine. For more information about the Guild or the Harvest Ball, call (847) 835-6830.

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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 24 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.