Our signature fundraiser Books & Brunch celebrated its
17th and most successful year on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 with gross revenues
topping $114,000. This year's literary luncheon featured
three authors who mingled with guests, autographed books and provided a lively
lunchtime presentation presided over by NBC5 co-anchor and reporter Dick
Johnson, our annual master of ceremonies and a loyal supporter. More than 400 guests heard the stories behind the
story for Laura Krughoff‘s debut novel My
Brother’s Name and Samuel Park’s novel This
Burns My Heart. Attorney and law professor Lori Andrews, an authority in
bioethics and electronic privacy, engaged the audience with a preview of I Know Who You Are and I Know What You Did.
“It’s great to have friends and neighbors coming
together to support the less fortunate members of our community,” said Meg
Cooper, Books & Brunch co-chair along with Maureen Hegarty. “People comment
on how different and special it is to come to a ladies’ fundraising event and
hear authors speaking on interesting and captivating topics.”
Assistance League’s hands-on programs and the
role the programs play in improving health outcomes in underserved
neighborhoods attracted the attention of The University of Chicago Medicine, a
new Books & Brunch sponsor for the 2013 event.
“When children have the supplies and resources to stay in
school, and families are given the chance to prepare
healthy meals in furnished kitchens, we are a few steps closer to eliminating
the types of preventable health issues that hit lower income communities the
hardest,” said Lindsay Rand, Sr. Strategy Manager, Strategic Planning for
The University of Chicago Medicine.
Meet Our Member Volunteers
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| Assistance League of Chicagoland |
Meet Our Newest Members
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Row One, L to R: Carol Park, Judy Iantosca, Helena Puche
Row Two: Eileen Hanley, Patricia Van Hoegarden
Row Three: Sue Farrell, Julia Wade, Barb Grand, Mary Genovese
Row Four: Karyn Vanderwarren, Peggy Knowles,Cathy Fisher, Annette Phillips |
Our Philanthropic Programs
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| Operation School Bell |
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| Operation New Start |
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| Operation Early Reading |
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| Operation Stepping Stones - NEW |
Meet Our Co-chairs
Meet Our Authors
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| Samuel Park, Lori Andrews, Maureen Hegarty, Meg Cooper, Laura Krughoff |
Meet Our Contributors
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| Michelle Kovach -- Bella Cosa Jewelers |
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| Shelia Nicosia, Neiman Marcus, & Meg Cooper |
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| Heather Laughman with Lindsay Rand, The University of Chicago |
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| Linda Legner peruses our authors' books |
Books & Brunch Members and Guests
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| Mary McGovern, Marguerite Spangehl, Sue Farrell |
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| Ly Hotchkin (right) and friend |
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| Laurie Cleary, Ellen Pfoetz, friend, Jennifer Ward |
Meet Our Charter Members
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| Marilyn Krafthefer, Linda Gonnella, Renee Cronin, Jan McGivern, Helene Paris |
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| Judy Casten, Jeanne Eber |
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| Diane Kurtz & Friend |
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| Diane Mrozek & Friend |
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| Betty Cronin & Linda Gonnella |
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| Marty Vexter & Teresa Palmitier |
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| Heather Laughman & Marie Raffl |
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| Guests Sharon Smith, Irene McClendon & Linda Proudfoot |
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| Guests |
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| Heather Laughman, Lindsay Rand, Samuel Park, Trish Reider |
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Marilyn Krafthefer, Madelon Pearlman, Mary Genovese & Barb Keller
man the eBay table |
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| Artist Maureen Claffy |
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| Mary Parsons & Jeneane Ally |
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| Marilyn Cushing, Marie Raffl, Marianne Cortopassi |
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| Anne Mueller, Laura Morse & Friend |
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| Nora Fleming with one of her platters |
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| Micki Rush & Nancy England |
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| Helena Puche & Laila Alamuddin |
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| Marie Rossi (right) and Friend |
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| Dee Dugo, Maureen McKenna & Friend |
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| Samuel Park |
Author
Signings
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| Lori Andrews |
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| Laura Krughoff |
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| Marianne Cortopassi & Vicki Bush-Joseph |
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| Nancy Newell (right) and sister |
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| Barb Grand, Betty Cronin with friend |
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| Diane Mrozek & Friend |
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| JoAnn Carpenter & Janie Gold |
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| Laurie Cleary & Marie Freier |
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Yvonne Morongiello & Amanda Kunzer
Catholic Charities |
Meet Our Collaborators
