 |
| Co-chairs Meg Cooper and Maureen Hegarty |
The 16th annual Books & Brunch luncheon and literary event supported
Assistance League® of Chicagoland West’s mission to deliver education and outreach programs that help transform lives in local suburbs by providing essential kitchen equipment for families leaving homelessness for independent living; new winter coats, hats and gloves for school kids in need and literacy backpacks for Head Start sites and low-income elementary schools.
Just over 400 guests attended this year. They purchased books and mingled with our authors, then listened to luncheon presentations by Laura Caldwell, a Chicago trial attorney and author of the Izzy McNeil mysteries; historical novelist Margaret George and Paul Virant, chef/owner of Vie Restaurant in Western Springs. NBC 5 reporter Dick Johnson was our program emcee once again.
Total receipts for the day came to $108,500.
 |
| 2012-13 Membership |
 |
| Operation Early Reading |
 |
Operation School Bell®
|
 |
| Operation New Start |
Philanthropic Programs
On Display
 |
| Nancy Newell at Early Bird raffle |
 |
| Meg Cooper and Ricki Lessig at check-in |
 |
| Nancy Newell and Trish Reider |
 |
| Volunteers Stephanie Sexauer and Katie Hegarty |
 |
| Courtney Crowder and Marie Pikul from Printers Row |
 |
Michelle Kovach of Bella Cosa Jewelers,
recipient of the 2012 Assistance League Distinguished Donor Award |
 |
| Laurie Cleary and Pat Mrozek |
 |
| Emily Cleary (right) |
 |
| Linda Gonnella checks in |
 |
| Paula Whitelaw (right) |
 |
| Guests Chris and Ly Hotchkin |
 |
| Fernando Valentino and Jamie Marucha at eBay table |
 |
| eBay sales have been lucrative venture for ALCW |
 |
| Marguerite Spangehl and Marilyn Krafthefer |
 |
| Marianne Cortopassi, Micki Rush, Nancy England |
 |
| Judy Casten, Meg Cooper, Sally Parsons |
 |
| Maria Kim, Heather Laughman, Marie Rossi |
 |
| Sandra Ver Beek, Maureen Hegarty, Becky Moats |
Anderson's Bookshops sold books by
our three authors: Laura Caldwell, Margaret George and Paul Virant
 |
| Linda Legner with Margaret George, Paul Virant, Laura Caldwell |
 |
| Beth Waldo enters jewelry raffle |
 |
| Al Sunseri, HSC Family Services, with Diane Kurtz |
 |
| Paul Virant chats with guests |
 |
| Barb Christopher with friends |
 |
| Phyllis Young, Nancy Newell, Diane Mrozek |
 |
| Barb Keller with Mark Billings, CHAD |
 |
| Ellen Pfoetz, Laurie Cleary, Jennifer Ward and friend |
 |
| Janelle Barcelona and Carol Simlar, PADS |
 |
| Sheryl Thomson, Elodie Cassidy, Janie Gold |
 |
| Boutique Shopping |
 |
| Yvonne Morongiello and Amanda Kunzer, Catholic Charities |
 |
| Raffle Baskets |
 |
| Laura Caldwell with guests |
 |
| Silent Auction |
 |
| Margaret George book signing |
 |
| Diane Kurtz and Margaret George |
 |
| Boutique |
 |
| Marianne Cortopassi and Dee Dugo |
 |
| Joan and Al Sunseri HCS Family Services |
 |
| State Representative Patty Bellock (center) and friends |
 |
| Marty Vexter and Carlene Motto |
 |
| Sally Rozak mans membership table |
 |
| Jeanne Eber, Betty Cronin, Nancy England |
 |
| Lauren and Dick Johnson |
 |
| ALCW President Heather Laughman with Dick Johnson |
 |
| Joanna Williams, Deb Newman, Ricki Lessig |
 |
| Mary Parsons and Jan McGivern |
 |
| Trish Reider and Jo Shaken |
 |
| Karen Stewart, Pam Howe, Bridge Communities |
 |
| Susan Prudden and Tara Silvan, La Grange School District 102 |
 |
| MC Dick Johnson opens the program |
 |
| Heather Laughman speaks about ALCW |
 |
| Madelon Pearlman receives 2012 Ada Edwards Laughlin Award |
 |
| Madelon Pearlman and Heather Laughman |
 |
| Meg Cooper picks grand jewelry winner while Bella Cosa's Michelle Kovach's looks on |
 |
| And the winner is...Pat Mrozek |
 |
| Nancy Munoz, principal, North School Villa Park, speaks about Operation School Bell and the impact the program has on students who have higher self-esteem and better school attendance thanks to the new coats, hats and gloves |
 |
| Dick Johnson encourages guests to Fund the Cause |
 |
| Linda Legner introduces authors |
 |
| Margaret George |
 |
| Paul Virant |
 |
| Laura Caldwell |
