NRS Executive Director Maureen Blaha, SOY Master of Ceremony and WBBM Channel 2 personality Steve Baskerville, Spirit of Youth award winner Alex Kotlowitz, Playboy Enterprises CEO Christie Hefner and NRS board chair Maree Bullock

For the second consecutive year Chicago's glittering Cultural Center hosted the National Runaway Switchboard's (NRS) annual Spirit of Youth benefit. The landmark building saw record attendance for a Spirit of Youth benefit when 325 NRS supporters filled the Sydney Yates gallery November 3rd to capacity. The event also raised over $85,000 for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth. United Airlines, LaSalle Bank and Radio Flyer were among the sponsors of the event.

Festivities began at 6:00pm. Early arrivals scanned a sea of tables loaded with enticing auction items that included

• First class round trip tickets to anywhere in the United States (United Airlines)
• Business class tickets to Europe (United Airlines)
• A unique summer outing that included a day on Lake Michigan aboard a sleek state-of-the-art 40'sailboat and lunch at the Chicago Yacht Club
• A chance to perform as chef's assistant for a day at one of Chicago's finest restaurant
• Tickets to premier theatrical venues
• A broad assortment of art, books, jewelry and sports memorabilia

Swing vocalist Lesley Byers belts it out beautifully during the benefit.

SOY Benefit Master of Ceremony Steve Baskerville heads to the podium.