Books & Brunch reaches new high



Becky Moats, Maureen Hegarty, Laurie Cleary
2014 Books & Brunch co-chairs 
The 18th annual Books & Brunch 2014 on Tuesday, November 11 raised more than $135,000. A five minute challenge, netted a quick $7,142, which was matched to $14,284 by a generous but anonymous member donor.  Every event surpasses the previous year, with a substantial increase in revenue and record attendance. We are happily bursting at the seams thanks to our faithful master of ceremomies, NBC 5 Newscaster Dick Johnson, and a compelling line-up of authors: Dorie Greenspan, who whetted our appetite for all things French especially food;  Rebecca Makkai, who's burning up the media waves with rave reviews for her Chicago-based  novel The Hundred Year Old House; Chris Rylander, who made us long to be young adult readers again and Melanie Wagner, who took us on her journey as a sommelier while pregnant.

2014-15 Board
Front row: Maureen Hegarty, Ricki Lessig, Fernanda Valentino, Mary Parsons
Back row: Meg Cooper, Sue Farrell, Inga Haveric, Maria Garino



We were thrilled to be joined by members of 
Assistance League of St. Louis
Pictured above with Meg and Laurie

Jolynn Waichulis & Marilyn Krafthefer 

Laila Alamuddin & Diane Mrozek 

Janelle Barcelona, Director of Development - DuPage PADS,
 with Betty Cronin
 

Jan McGivern, Marie Raffl, Sue Farrell 

Maddy LaRocco

Jeanne Eber & Linda Legner

Maureen Hegarry and Laurie Cleary with
Michele Kovach, Bella Cosa Jewelers
Cora Brown & Leslie Oroc, World Kitchens Corelle

Jeanne Hanson, Executive Director of Belmont Village, Guest Author Merle Garton Phillips,
Meg Cooper,  Carlene Motto, Executive VP Sales & Marketing, Laurie Cleary 
Merle greeted guests 
and signed copies of Beautiful Pebbles 
Carlene Motto with Brianne Zitko & Karisti Shankle,
Belmont Village Community Relations 


Micki Rush & Guest 

Becky Moats & Guest

Deb Newman (right) & Guest

Author
Books Signings


Chris Rylander


Dorie Greenspan



Rebecca Makkai



Melanie Wagner




Heather Laughman, Rebecca Makkai, Melanie Wagner, Dorie Greenspan,
Chris Rylander, Linda Legner


Sharon Smith, Marianne Cortopassi, Irene McClendon, Laurie Laga




Pat Mrozek (center) with Guests

Micki Rush & Anne Mueller

Trish Reider & Susan Brodie

Marie Rossi (right) & Guest 

Maureen & Katie Hegarty


Margaret Bennett, Renee Cooper, Jennifer Stout & Donna Brickman
Hinsdale Bank & Trust 

Marianne Cortopassi & DeenaVoellinger

NBC 5 Newscaster Dick Johnson with Authors 
Carol Simlar, President & CEO, and Janelle Barcelona, Vice President Development,
DuPage PADS

Jan Tuthill & BJ Chimenti

Sally Rozak (second from left) & Friends

Pat Mrozek & Guest

BJ Chimenti, Jenifer Fabian & Jan Tuthill

Jennifer Ward & Ellen Pfoetz

Marie Freier (center) & Friends

Heather Laughman, Meg Cooper & Guest

Jan McGivern & Friend

Mary Kay Shukis, Amy Brown & Patricia Keeling of
Catholic Charities, Sandra Ver Beek

Mary Kay and Sandra with Bridges Communities Case Managers
Molly Howieson & Robyn Mason
Yvonne Naese, Director of Operations

Mary Kay and Sandra with Caroline Kline & Amy Moran,
Helping Hand Center


Marianne Cortopassi with former District 181 teachers
Barb Johnson & Theresa Wilke

Eileen Hanley, Joy Aaronson, Community Development Coordinator,
Metropolitan Family Services,  Patricia Van Hoegarden

Dick Johnson opens the program

President Heather Laughman talks about
Assistance League 


Nancy Newell receives Ada Edwards Laughlin award,
named for Assistance League co-founder


Ann Marie Andexler, former Bridges client and
New Start kitchen recipient speaks with hope
about her life and experiences



Linda Legner introduces authors


Melanie Wagner

Chris Rylander



Rebecca Makkai
Dorie Greenspan

Judy Casten, Ly Hotchkin, Jan Tuthill 

Judy Caribeaux, Executive Director,  and Robbie McCoy, Director of
Resource Development,  Family Shelter Service 

Marguerite Spangehl, Felicia Moore & Yuan Huang,
COD Scholarship recipients, Fernanda Valentino 

Janie Gold, Mary Kay Pauritsch, Terri Diorio

Nancy Newell and Sister
Ada Edwards Laughlin award winner