NRS Executive Director Maureen Blaha listens as Chef Trotter speaks about why reaching out to youth is so important to him.

More than 30 people braved the first major snowstorm of the season to attend a special evening honoring the National Runaway Switchboard, hosted by Chef Charlie Trotter at his namesake restaurant, Charlie Trotter's, in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.

The evening featured canapes paired with a variety of wines graciously donated for the event. Attendees included local luminaries such as nightclub promoter Billy Dec, Chicago Board of Education President Rufus Williams, and United Airlines CEO Glenn Tilton.

Chef Trotter spoke to the group about NRS and its mission, and encouraged those in attendance who did not already have a connection with NRS to support the agency's mission to keep America's runaway and at-risk youth safe and off the streets.