Salvation Army Civic Luncheon Raises More than $1 Million for Doing the Most Good
The Salvation Army’s annual Civic Luncheon, held May 14 in the Hilton Chicago’s Grand Ballroom, was a big success. More than 750 attendees helped raise nearly $1.1 million toward the Army’s work throughout the greater Chicago area. These funds will provide food, shelter, addiction recovery, job assistance, after-school programs, music lessons, freedom from trafficking and disaster relief.
Former First Lady Laura Bush, a past member of The Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board, was the featured keynote speaker. She charmed guests as she talked about her passion for the Army’s Fight for Good and shared updates and life lessons from her well-known family.
Luncheon guests also enjoyed a few encouraging words from Khloe Thompson, the 12-year-old California girl who raised nearly $65,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to support the Army’s work during the polar vortex this past January. “I was able to raise $65,000 in just a day,” Thompson told luncheon attendees. “And we have about 800 adults here . . .” Her words helped inspire more than $150,000 in donations through a paddle-raise, which a group of generous donors matched.
The Civic Luncheon also marked the premiere of The Salvation Army's new the Fight is Now campaign in Chicago, and guests were treated to the first public showing of the campaign's official video.
At the luncheon, the Army awarded longtime friends and supporters Craig and Janet Duchossois with the William Booth Award. This honor, the highest bestowed by the Army, is given to those who exemplify The Salvation Army’s goals of service to people. “To be recognized by an organization like The Salvation Army is a very, very humbling experience,” Craig Duchossois said in a pre-recorded video.
The Salvation Army also gave two “Others” Awards, named for a one-word telegraph William Booth once sent to convey what The Salvation Army was – and still is – all about: “others.” Antunovich & Associates and Bulley & Andrews received the “Others” Awards this year. The Army also recognized all the sponsors who made the event such a success.
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Smith, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army’s Metropolitan Division, closed with a prayer and invited guests to next year’s Civic Luncheon, which will be on May 13 with famed football coach and author Tony Dungy as the keynote speaker.
2019 Civic Luncheon Photos on Flickr
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