NRS Executive Director, Maureen Blaha with 2009 Spirit of Youth award recipient, Chef Charlie Trotter

In conjunction with National Runaway Prevention Month, the National Runaway Switchboard (NRS) celebrated the seventh annual Spirit of Youth event the entire month of November. Activities included an on-line silent auction that ran from October 15th to November 30th, a raffle with a cash prize, the Spirit of Youth Benefit reception, and a wrap party.

On Friday November 13th NRS hosted the Spirit of Youth cocktail reception honoring Chef Charlie Trotter that was held at the Four Season's Hotel. The event included four wine stations, appetizers, a live band, as well as a live auction. The list of attendees included the 2009 Spirit of Youth sponsors, NRS board members, staff, and volunteers and supporters.

Closing out month long list of Spirit of Youth activities was the Wrap party held at Witt's in Chicago on Monday, November 30th. The event included a silent auction, the Spirit of Youth raffle drawing, and the close of the online auction. Guests of the event included NRS board, staff, volunteers, and ongoing supporters. NRS raised $113,000 through all of the Spirit of Youth activities that were held during the month.

The 2009 Spirit of Youth cocktail reception was sponsored by Platinum Sponsor: United Airlines; Gold Sponsors: Greyhound Lines, Inc. and Radio Flyer; and Bronze Sponsors: Rick Barkan, Michele and Gary Lehman, Stephen C. and Rosemary Mack, Richard Malone, McCormick Tribune Foundation, Sybase, Inc., Bonnie and Steve Wheeler.

(Left to right) Bronze Sponsor, Sybase Inc. for the Chicago office Donna Andrews and Dan Weisberg

(Left to right) Phil and LaJule Gant with NRS Board member and his wife, Mark and Vada Seals

(Left to right) NRS Volunteer and donor, Christina Van Pelt and her husband, Larry Diskin