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Celebrate Kentucky Derby style for Hesed House on first Saturday in May

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Above / Hats off for the colorful display of community spirit and charitable giving that’s beginning to populate the calendar during the merry month of May. First up, save the first Saturday in May for the Kentucky Derby Party, this year under a big tent at White Eagle Golf Club.

UPDATED Post, April 28, 2024 / Always on the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby Party to benefit Hesed House returns to White Eagle Golf Club beginning at 3PM. Though the horses at the post may change, many details remain the same!

Mike Cooper again will perform “Call to Post” as the Run for the Roses is about to begin. (PN File Photo)

UPDATED Post, May 7, 2022 / Kentucky Derby winner, Rich Strike, pays 80-1 as lucky 21 long shot. The last horse to enter was first to cross the finish line in the 148th Kentucky Derby, outpacing favorite Epicenter and Zandon. Oh! What an exciting two minutes!

Here’s hoping the happening has been a huge success for Hesed House, too!

UPDATED Post, April 28, 2022 / This post about the Kentucky Derby Party now features the link to ticket availability here at the beginning so folks interested in attending can go right to the ticket page hosted by Hesed House. Individuals who wish to pay for tickets in a way other than by credit card may contact ljernigan@hesedhouse.org today. Thanks for your interest!

What prize did the signature Kentucky Derby cap win in the Derby Party Diva Hat Contest in 2018?

Original Post, April 12, 2022 / First hosted in 2012, the Annual Kentucky Derby Party, a gala fundraiser for Hesed House, is slated to run from 3PM to 10PM Sat., May 7, “under the Big Top at White Eagle Golf Club,” organizers said. 

After the formal presentations and thoroughbred racing, the fun-filled event features all types of festivities in a race to end homelessness as a benefit for Hesed House.

“You will not want to miss this wonderful event and your opportunity to support the Hesed House mission of ending homelessness- one person, one family at a time!” noted Lauren Jernigan, Division Director of Development for Hesed House.

Limited seating is available at Derby Party. Individuals must be 21-plus to attend and advanced reservations are required. Individual tickets are $250 and a table of ten is $2,500.

“The Kentucky Derby Party is open to the public with advance reservations. Everybody age 21 and older is welcome!” added Jernigan.

A few things to know…

The Kentucky Derby 2022 is run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, always on the first Saturday in May.

In Naperville, the Derby Party begins at 3PM on the first Saturday in May. And this year the festivities will be held under an enormous tent to seat 600 guests at White Eagle Golf Club on Sat. May 7.

Warm Welcomes! (PN File Photo 2016)

Following an hour of mixing and mingling in awe of creative Derby-style attire, formal presentations start at 4PM.

Post time for the 148th “Renewal of the Run for the Roses” is approximately 5:57PM (CT).

Beginning with the National Anthem, observe all the traditions of everybody’s favorite horse race and ceremonial glory from Churchill Downs broadcast on the big screens.

Under the big tent at the Kentucky Derby fundraiser at White Eagle, Mike Cooper again will be bugler.

Frolicking festivities will follow the historic 2-minute race with plenty of lively Naperville-style cheers during what’s known as “the greatest two minutes in sports.”

Memories of a little decorum fit for the Run of the Roses

Folks come dressed head to toe in their Derby best to enjoy premium dining and libations, exclusive silent and live auctions, a simulcast of the Kentucky Derby live from Churchill Downs, Southern-style hospitality and more, longtime supporters said.

Prize-Winning Hat. (PN File Photo 2019)

The special fundraising event with a memorable theme is an opportunity to support the Hesed House mission of ending homelessness.

Again, for everything about reservations and seating, visit derby22.givesmart.com. 

With much gratitude to all who plan to attend, organizers have included the complete list of generous event sponsors on the Hesed House website where “current needs” also are listed.

For more information, contact Lauren Jernigan, Division Director of Development at (630) 914-6428 or via email at donate@hesedhouse.org.

(PN File Photo 2016)

Live entertainment welcomes all to participate

In addition to the Kentucky Derby race run on the big screen, raffles as well as silent and live auctions are featured among the many creative activities. For instance, the popular Derby Diva Hat Contest provides entertainment when men and women show off the stuff on top of their head for fun, prizes and bragging rights.

Bugler Cooper also returns to serve as one of the judges of the popular Derby Party Diva Hat Contest.

Prize-Winning Hat.  (PN File Photo 2013)

Since the first Derby Gala in 2012, PN readers looking for “Derby Hats” oftentimes have wondered where to find wide-brimmed hats. Certainly, they’re available online. For the fun of it, create one with a local purchase at women’s shops, Bed & Bath & Beyond, Target and discount department stores. Then adorn with a band of polka dot ribbon (polka dots are part of the Churchill Downs tradition), colorful silk flowers coordinated with dress, and add other trinkets available at craft stores to personalize the fun of the Derby Party.

What’s more, during 2022 festivities the popular Derby Diamond Draw and Wine Pull again will be featured inside the tent with other ways to help raise funds.

Popular Wine Pull (PN File Photo 2013)

And for Derby Party 2022, the first-ever Cigar Bar will be timed to follow outside on the back patio at White Eagle at 7PM, catering to patrons who, well, enjoy smoking cigars.

Finally, dancing to the live music begins nonstop during the After Party starting at 7PM. Over and out by 10PM.

For more information, contact Lauren Jernigan, Division Director of Development at (630) 914-6428 or via email at donate@hesedhouse.org.

And then there’s…

Donations for the auctions still are being accepted. Organizers expressed appreciation for all support that benefits Hesed House.

Local residents who have traditionally hosted Kentucky Derby in-home parties are welcome to bring their events to the Hesed House benefit at White Eagle Golf Club. Tables of 10 are $2,500 and available at derby22.givesmart.com.

White Eagle Golf Club is located at 3704 White Eagle Drive, in Naperville.

Hesed House, growing to meet unmet needs since early 1980s

Hesed House is a national model for ending homelessness – one person, one family at a time. It is the culmination of nearly four decades of strategic evolution from a formerly acceptable model of “eats and sheets” to a comprehensive resource center for the homeless – a campus of centralized, highly skilled professionals collaborating to provide the tools necessary to help individuals and families break free of the shackles binding them to homelessness.

Hesed House’s mission is to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, and give people the chance to hope again.

 

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.
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