On April 11, nearly 500 guests and volunteers turned out for Family Shelter Service’s annual Gala, this year named “Carnevale: A Celebration of Hope,” and held at The Abbington, Glen Ellyn. Approximately $200,000 was raised for the programs of Family Shelter Service, offering help and hope to those affected by domestic violence.
Emcee for the evening was Ji Suk Yi, news and social media producer for ABC 7’s Windy City LIVE. The evening kicked off with silent and bid board auctions featuring sports, backyard entertainment, gardening, cooking and a wide variety of other special packages. VIP sports seating, trips, behind-the-scenes tours and much more made up the live auction offerings. Speed painter Elliott From of ArtBeat Live entertained guests with his artistic, sports-oriented creations, which were sold during the evening’s auction. The Grand Raffle winner was able to choose from two luxury trips to Costa Rica or Napa Valley with the option of $2,000 cash.
“Tonight we are the guardians of the 2,000 women and children that are helped at Family Shelter Service each year. We couldn’t do this work without you,” said Family Shelter Service Executive Director Judie Caribeaux. “One in four women are victims of domestic violence. One in five girls will experience dating violence by the time she graduates college. Three hundred and fifty acts of domestic violence are reported in DuPage County each month.”
Family Shelter Service Board President and Hinsdale Police Chief also discussed the prevalence of domestic violence in DuPage County. “We are living in a world where, unfortunately, domestic violence seems to be growing,” he said. “In communities across DuPage County, police officers are going on more and more domestic violence calls.”
Funds raised through the Family Shelter Service annual gala offer the promise of hope for many victims of domestic violence in DuPage County. For more information, visit www.familyshelterservice.org.
