WINGS Sports Luncheon
After two years, WINGS Sports Luncheon was finally able to take place on March 14, 2022 and it was a great success – and so much fun! Because of our generous sponsors, we were able to come together in-person and virtually for an engaging and very entertaining conversation with our beloved Chicago sports team owners.
We are truly grateful to our board members and event co-chairs, Karen Z. Gray-Krehbiel and Trish Rooney for putting together this wonderful event. This event was successful and possible because of Rita and John Canning’s effort to secure the Chicago sports team owners once again this year. WINGS is grateful to Chicago Cubs Executive Chairman Thomas S. Ricketts, Chicago Bulls President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Reinsdorf, and Chicago Blackhawks Chairman W. Rockwell (Rocky) Wirtz. A special thanks to Greg Brown, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Motorola Solutions, for facilitating the discussion at the event.
The event has raised more than $640,000 since the original date in 2020. We are so grateful to our event sponsors for supporting the event in 2020 and in 2022. Together, our efforts will bring hope and freedom to our families for a life free from domestic violence.
PURPLE TIE BALL
Our 2021 hybrid Purple Tie Ball was a great success and raised more than $588,000. The event included an inspiring story from an outstanding graduate and a special tribute to Rita Canning. Thank you to Melissa Canning and Debby Jackson for co-chairing the event.
Park Ridge Living Fashion Show
STROLL Park Ridge (formerly known as Park Ridge Living) Fashion Show for WINGS was held on October 15th at the Park Ridge Country Club to a sold out audience of more than 250 people. Thank you to STROLL Park Ridge Publisher Dolly McCarthy, Presenting sponsor Sue Hall @properties Park Ridge, Stino Milito and many supporters for helping to raise $75,000.
North Shore Ladies Luncheon
WINGS inaugural North Shore Ladies Luncheon took place on June 5th and over 250 ladies attended to support the mission of WINGS. Thanks to our event host committee and co-chairs, Katherine Banich and Maria Shideler, we were able to raise over $75,000.
WINGS Open House Celebration
K-9 Comfort Dogs greeted over 400 donors, volunteers and supporters who attended WINGS Open House Celebration. Guests had an opportunity to hear stories from four of our outstanding graduates, engage with WINGS staff and celebrate the successes we’ve had in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
The Alpha Chi Omega – Iota Rho Chapter at Loyola University has partnered with WINGS since 2016. With a philanthropy focus for Domestic Violence Awareness (DVA), they reached out to WINGS with the desire to fundraise for the critical work WINGS does in the Chicago area.
This has led to the Chapter holding a fundraising event for WINGS each semester, with events like “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” and “Volley Against Violence.” They sell goods and tickets, while utilizing WINGS speakers to educate the community.
“It is vital that we partner with WINGS, as it allows us to continue to fundraise for an organization that supports DVA, but also is close to home. WINGS has impacted our sisters by giving us a purpose within the community. We continue to learn and grow, thanks to WINGS speakers, and we take pride in raising money for WINGS.” Grace Begeman, Loyola Chicago 2023 VP Philanthropy
ALL COMMUNITY EVENTS
All Community Events first partnered with WINGS at the Deer Park St. Paddy’s 5K/10K in 2014. They were looking for a local charity to raise funds for through the race and thought WINGS fit well. Since then, WINGS has been their exclusive charity partner for not only that race, but also the Prairie State Half Marathon & 10K, Oktoberfest 5K, and Barrington Mother’s Day 5K.
“It is important for us to partner with WINGS, who has done a great job supporting our events with awesome volunteers, because it allows us to give back to the surrounding communities that let us host our events and gives a lot of our participants a relatable cause to train, run, and finish the race for. So many people participate in running events to overcome one issue or another. Crossing that finish line makes our participants feel empowered, no matter what might be going on in their personal lives.” – Colin Pekovitch, Lead Event Director
