Galas are about giving, not glam
The party starts when I get there.
That’s my mantra before heading into any charity event. That’s not because I’m a diva — far from it. It’s because when I attend a party, I have to work, and I don’t have a plus-one to hold my gear.
Speaking to complete strangers while they’re socializing is a tough gig. It’s fairly nerve-wracking to interrupt a partygoer mid-sip of champagne (or mid-quaff of beer) or take a photo after a few hors d’oeuvres.
My hands are occupied with a reporter’s notebook and a camera. The pen, usually tucked behind my ear, is this working girl’s fascinator.
After the cocktail hour, I generally head to another venue to meet up with friends — without fail, fashionably late and overdressed.
And my gal pals ask me, “Why do you need to cover society functions? Isn’t there actual news in Winnetka? Don’t people in Barrington have better things to do than glam for the camera?”
When I started editing the Trend section, my arched eyebrow nearly froze in place. A few phone calls from panicked women worried about how their hair photographed or which other guests would be featured only validated my snark.
“Some people have real problems. Don’t you have anything better to do?” I fumed inwardly while forcing a perma-grin while taking these calls.
Of course, there is hard news in all of the communities where the Trend section appears. More than just the police blotter, in fact.
But what makes the Trend section relevant to all readers in these 19 towns and beyond is the jaw-dropping amounts of money your neighbors raise for charitable causes. And that is news.
From the first edition in January through Dec. 1, the pages of Trend featured the fundraising events of 109 vastly different nonprofit organizations, women’s boards and charities. These galas, golf outings, luncheons and walks raised more than $73 million dollars in 2011.
This sum is on equal footing with the entire 2011-12 Chicago Bulls’ payroll of $67 million dollars. To break it down further, the Chicago Botanic Garden held five fundraising events this year, and two of them raised more than the $568,000 Highland Park budgeted to compensate its police administrators this year.
Charity begins at home, which is why it’s important to feature smaller nonprofits doing great work in our towns.
The Evanston Art Center provides accessible visual arts programs to a diverse community, beyond its home city’s borders. In order to offer art classes, top-notch exhibitions and outreach programs, it needs cash. However, EAC wants your time as much as — if not more than — your money.
Faced with the economic reality that advertising is expensive, Paula Danoff, director of development and communications for the center, must be selective when promoting her events. Having press attend preview parties puts local faces with charitable causes. And that is worth more than 1,000 words.
“Having your picture taken at an event serves as a reminder for your friends of the causes you champion,” Danoff said. “One article just makes such a difference. We’re nonprofits and we can’t buy that kind of publicity. The Trend section helps all nonprofits move their missions forward.”
And it’s more than a roster of who’s who in North Shore towns.
“I think it’s a record of the event. It’s not all about the gala; it’s about the Field Museum,” said Women’s Board and Auxiliary Groups Director Trish Farrell. “The Chicago-area philanthropic community has a long history of generosity, and it’s certainly nice to recognize individuals whose support makes Chicago a vibrant, world-class city.”
Sometimes it’s just about the power of the press.
“When you see your next-door neighbor involved in charitable causes, you see how they devote their time and energy — and how they can make a difference in their own communities,” said Mary LaPlante, Midwest chapter manager of the America India Foundation.
Many times, people volunteer to give back to organizations that have made an impact in their own lives.
Donna Drescher of Glencoe wanted to raise money for Children’s Memorial Hospital after her son was diagnosed with — and beat — leukemia 17 years ago.
Her commitment became a family affair. Her husband ran a charity car raffle raising more than $4.5 million dollars and is a board member. Her daughter is a member of the Junior Women’s Board, and Drescher chaired the 2009 Children’s Ball.
Galas allow guests to maximize their financial giving when they don’t have much time.
For others — myself included — time is what makes sense to give.
To that end, I’m putting my money where my pen is: I’ve joined the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore. Look to read more in the weeks to come.
By Meg Moore