Assistance League of Chicagoland West: 2012


Hostess Meg Cooper, Ricki Lessig, Linda Legner, Diane Kurtz and Becky Moats

Assistance League of Chicagoland West held its annual holiday luncheon on Wednesday, December 12 at Meg Cooper's home. President Heather Laughman wrote:

What a wonderful way to get in the spirit of the holidays by spending some quality social time with each other! The luncheon at Meg Cooper's house was outstanding. We had an incredible turnout of nearly 40 members and somehow Meg managed to seat us all. The house looked beautiful, the food was tasty, the drinks were plentiful and of course the company was top notch!! That is what I love about this group of dynamic women. We know how to work hard, but we also know how to play hard. I was really pleased to see many of our newest members join in the fun. It was great to see everyone enjoying themselves. So, a huge shout out to Meg for hosting us again, for I believe the 4th year in a row!!!

President Heather Laughman and Pat Allen

Jeanne Eber, Deb Newman, Becky Moats, Sally Rozak and Kathy Motherway

Madelon Pearlman and Pat Mrozek

Carla Feinkind, Pat Allen, Diane Kurtz and Marie Raffl

Mary McGovern, Maureen Hegarty and Jeanne Eber

Teresa Palmitier, Meg Cooper, Deb Newman and Diane Mrozek

Linda Legner and Jamie Marucha with Judy Casten in the background

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