Dressed to Impress

By Michelle Dellinger
July 2018 View more Naperscene

On Saturday, April 28, Family Shelter Service held its annual fundraising gala, “Free to Fly,” at the Drake Oak Brook, raising more than $280,000 to help DuPage victims of domestic violence find safer futures.

With the roaring ’20s as the theme, guests arrived in flapper dresses, fedoras and spats. CBS-2 meteorologist Larry Mowry acted as emcee for the event, which included the music of The Rhythm Rockets, silent and live auctions and a grand raffle for a six-night tropical vacation. Unique auction items included a Star Wars poster autographed by Carrie Fisher and a Lake Tahoe ski getaway
for two, plus a Cubs package
that included a jersey autographed by David Ross, game tickets and a fully stocked limo to and from Wrigley Field.

One of the evening’s special guests, Illinois State Representative and Hinsdale resident Patricia Bellock, was honored for her work to help victims of domestic violence with the inaugural Amethyst Award of Family Shelter Service, an award that symbolizes peace and the resilience of domestic violence survivors.