Metropolitan Family Services’ 2010 Holiday Celebration a Swinging Success

More than 500 guests from Chicago’s business and philanthropic communities kicked off the holiday season at Metropolitan Family Services’ Holiday Celebration, held at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago on December 4, 2010. The event raised more than $600,000 net for Metropolitan’s vital programs and services that annually help nearly 45,000 low-income families in the Chicago area realize their potential and lead healthy, productive lives.

WBBM-TV/Channel 2 anchor Bill Kurtis emceed the celebration, where guests were treated to live entertainment from Jersey Boys star Michael Ingersoll and two-time Jeff-nominated singer Angela Ingersoll. Dinner, dancing, auctions and a vintage wine raffle also were among the attractions.

The Duchossois, one of Chicago’s leading families in business and philanthropy and tireless supporters of Metropolitan and its family-centered programs, were honored as “Family of the Year.” Attendees included family patriarch Richard Duchossois and wife Judi, Craig Duchossois and wife Janet, Kim Duchossois, and the family’s third generation, which is actively involved with Metropolitan. Members of the third generation received the award on behalf of the entire family, and Ashley Duchossois Joyce, a Metropolitan Family Services Board Member and social worker/therapist in private practice, spoke warmly of her family’s commitment to the organization.

Among those at the Holiday Celebration were Donna LaPietra, Christie Hefner and William Marovitz, Metropolitan Board Member Martha Melman and Richard Melman, Metropolitan Board Member and ComEd Chairman/CEO Frank Clark and his wife, Dr., Vera A. Clark, Jim Oberweis, Jr. of Oberweis Asset Management, and Jim Reynolds of Loop Capital.

Additional highlights of the evening included a live auction with “A Secret Garden Dinner” at Mettawa Manor, the 65-acre country estate and gardens owned by Bill Kurtis and Donna LaPietra. The dinner/tour was won by members of the Duchossois’ third generation, including Ashley and Michael Joyce, Jessica and Dominic Green, Cobey and Erich Struckmeyer, and Tyler Lenczuk.

About Metropolitan Family Services
Metropolitan Family Services, one of Chicago’s first and largest human services organizations, provides social and legal services that help approximately 45,000 individuals and families each year in the city and the suburbs realize their potential and lead healthy, productive lives.