Guests Discover the Wonder!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
By: Jenna Plakut

The 2006 Blue Ribbon Ball

Guests Discovered the Wonder!

CHICAGO, IL November 4, 2006 The 2006 Blue Ribbon Ball, “Discover the Wonder,”
presented by the Prevent Child Abuse America Chicago Board and Verizon Wireless, raised over $300,000 for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.  The Ball took place on Saturday, November 4, at Chicago’s Field Museum, where 630 guests enjoyed a true evening of elegance at this annual black-tie gala.

The highlight of the evening was the treasures of the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibition.  Another highlight of the evening was a special VIP Reception hosted by presenting sponsor Verizon Wireless, marking its third straight year serving as the Ball’s top sponsor.  “Verizon Wireless is honored to support the 2006
Blue Ribbon Ball as the presenting sponsor again this year. As community leaders, we share the responsibility for preventing abuse before it starts, solving a problem that touches us all in countless ways,” said Mike Ritter, Verizon Wireless Vice President for marketing and sales operations in the Midwest, and a Prevent Child Abuse America board member.  “Verizon Wireless is committed to preventing violence in our homes and communities and we commend Prevent Child Abuse America for all that it does to protect our community’s children.”
 
Chicago Board members Kim Keeley and Melissa Beitz-Lourgos were this year’s ball co chairs. Prevent Child Abuse America also honored a number of organizations, including Blue Ribbon Ball Guardians DraftFCB and Presenting Sponsor Verizon Wireless. Additional top sponsors and benefactors included United Recycling Industries, American Airlines, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, the Law Firm of Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon LLP and Foresters.
“The Blue Ribbon Ball continues to be the premier fundraising event for Prevent Child Abuse America. This year’s event was a great success, and we were delighted to have the opportunity to host our event at the Field Museum and allow our guests to view the Tutankhamun exhibition,” said Chicago Board President Doug Prochnow. “And we are particularly grateful for the continued support of Verizon Wireless and all of our generous benefactors and sponsors who made this event possible.”

The evening began at 6:00 p.m. and included dinner, dancing, a silent and live auction. Guests enjoyed music by the Dick Judson Orchestra, a live auction of jewelry from Shelle Jewelers, a mink coat from Andriana Furs, and worldwide trips with airfare donated by American Airlines, and a vast silent auction with an array of celebrity memorabilia.

Prevetn Child Abuse America also presented two awards during the evening. DraftFCB received the 2006 “Voice Award for Community Action,” in recognition of their efforts to make a positive impact on children and families at the community level in a volunteer capacity. DraftFCB is a leader in global marketing communications.  The agency has a long history of giving back to the community by working globally with organizations that are dedicated to helping children in need.  From raising money for various organizations via its signature coffee bars to dedicating countless hours and resources to support its roster of non-profit organizations, the agency and its employees are committed to bettering our communities.  DraftFCB is one of the most generous and dedicated supporters of Prevent Child Abuse America and the Blue Ribbon Ball.  Since 1988, the agency has donated countless hours of design and production time toward the creation and distribution of the Ball’s invitations and save-the-date cards in many cases securing pro bono printing.  Not only have these contributions saved the organization untold thousands of dollars in design and production expenses, but the agency has also very graciously supported the Ball as a sponsor.  As further evidence of DraftFCB’s commitment to Prevent Child Abuse America, which is one of the agency’s official charities, many employees support the organization via payroll deductions.  These funds allow Prevent Child Abuse America to sustain and enhance our child abuse prevention programs and services. 

The 2006 “Angel Award” was presented to Robert Glavin and Linda Post of United Recycling Industries, Inc. for their many years of generous support. The award is presented to those who have furthered PCA America’s mission of preventing the abuse and neglect of our nation’s children. An innovative leader in the environmentally sound reuse and recycling of high tech electronic equipment and precious metals, United Recycling Industries has been a significant contributor of the Blue Ribbon Ball in the past and is a major benefactor of this year’s event.
PCA America extends its deepest gratitude to those additional sponsors that helped make the Ball possible, including the McCormick Tribune Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Harvey; The Karmin Family; Shell Vacations Club; Target; Michael and Lillie Axelrod; DDB Chicago; DLA Piper; Grey Goose; Motorola; National City; O2 Ideas, Inc.; Seyfarth Shaw LLP; The Shamrock Companies and Zurich Financial Services. The organization also thanks the Ball’s promotional partners, Westfield and WXRT-FM.

 PCA America is the leading organization working at the national, state and local levels to prevent the abuse and neglect of our nation’s children. Headquartered in Chicago, PCA America has a network of chapters in 43 states and is widely known for its public awareness, education, prevention programs, advocacy and research. The PCA America Chicago Board raises more than $300,000 annually for the organization.