Hooray for Naperwood

By Julie Duffin
April 2019 View more Naperscene

Noah’s Event Venue was transformed into the Dolby Theatre of Naperville on February 24 as Variety, the Children’s Charity of Illinois, hosted its 14th annual Academy Awards viewing party.

Guests were photographed by “paparazzi” as they walked the red carpet in high fashion. Throughout the evening, attendees enjoyed delicious food as the Oscars played live on the big screen. During commercial breaks, board member and emcee Sarah Knight Adamson presented best-dressed awards to attendees, offered insightful Oscar trivia, and discussed the charity’s accomplishments. Anderson, host of the nationally syndicated radio show Hollywood 360, is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Broadcast Film Critics Association, and a voting member for the Critics’ Choice Awards. Mary Poppins herself was even on hand to distribute the charity’s 2019 collectible gold heart pin.

“The real winners of the evening are the special needs kids we are raising money for,” Adamson says. All of the evening’s proceeds support Variety’s efforts to improve the quality of life for children with disabilities, by providing the equipment and experiences they need to reach their highest potential.

Photos by A. Hartigan