WINGS Purple Tie Ball…Behind Every Mask is a Story of Strength
- Posted by Sarah Swiston
- On August 26, 2026
- Chicago, chicago metropolitan area, Chicago suburbs, children services, Domestic Violence, domestic violence agency, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, dv survivors, DVAM, End Domestic Violence, Foglia Family Resource Center, Fundraiser, gala, Housing Programs, inspiration, masquerade ball, masquerade event Chicago, masquerade event schaumburg, masquerade gala, non-profit agencies, North Shore gala, northwest chicago, October Domestic Violence Awareness, Philanthropy, Purple Tie Ball, Schaumburg, Schaumburg gala, WINGS, WINGS Fundraiser, WINGS Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WINGS Purple Tie Ball’s Grand Masquerade…
Behind Every Mask is a Story of Strength
Schaumburg, IL – In honor of domestic violence awareness month, WINGS is hosting its 26th Annual Purple Tie Ball on Saturday, October 3rd starting at 5:30pm at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel. Guests will be immersed in a grand masquerade ball atmosphere that will include a cocktail reception, full dinner, live music from Hello Weekend, and the presentation of the prestigious David K. Hill Award to an inspirational WINGS graduate.
Purple Tie Ball event Co-Chairs from left: Kim Frezados, Melissa Canning, and Maggie Pflanz
“Guests will step into a candlelit grandeur, sweeping music, and hidden identities. Our Décor Chairs Joanne Castle, Lori Paris, and Jackie DesMarteau always raise the bar each year and we are so excited for what they have in store,” Kim Frezados, one of Purple Tie Ball’s three Event Co-Chairs.
Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind experiences, while at the same time benefitting WINGS mission to end domestic violence. Live auction experiences include exciting trips, premium sports and concert tickets, and more.
Sponsorships and individual tickets are available now, but have sold out in the past.
Spotlighting WINGS Foglia Family Resource Center (FFRC)
The evening will shine a light on WINGS Foglia Family Resource Center. The FFRC provides safety planning, counseling, support groups, and more to both adult and child survivors of domestic violence. A government grant ends at the end of September which funds several counseling positions at the center. Increased funding is needed to fill the gap and expand these critical interventions.
The need for domestic violence services continues to grow. According to a recent report from The Network who oversees the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline, in 2025 the agency received 69,748 contacts. This represents an 181% increase since pre-pandemic 2019.
“WINGS provides critical emergency interventions and comprehensive services to help families overcome the trauma they have experienced and create new beginnings free from violence,” Maggie Pflanz, WINGS Event Co-Chair shares.
Melissa Canning, WINGS Event Co-Chair continues, “The support WINGS provides to children helps break the cycle of abuse, it is really important and timely work.”
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- At WINGS Purple Tie Ball last year, the 700 attendees and numerous sponsors raised more than $1.1 million for WINGS domestic violence programming.
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- From left: WINGS President and CEO Rebecca Darr and WINGS Board Chair Ellaine Sambo-Reyther at last year’s Purple Tie Ball
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- Counseling room at WINGS FFRC.
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About WINGS Program, Inc.
The mission of WINGS Program, Inc. is to provide housing, integrated services, education, and advocacy to end domestic violence. With more than 40 years of experience, WINGS Program, Inc. is a premier provider of domestic violence solutions.
As the largest domestic violence agency in Illinois, WINGS creates high-quality, customized, domestic violence programs for survivors of all ages, ethnicities, and gender identities. WINGS programs have provided over one million nights of safe housing, life-changing community-based counseling, and award-winning mentoring programs.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence can receive help by calling the 24-hour hotline at 847.221.5680. For more information, visit www.wingsprogram.com.