NRS Executive Director Maureen Blaha with Gregory Lewis, Executive Director of Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Fund, and 2011 Spirit of Youth Co-Chairs/NRS board members Brianna Gruszka and Christina Van Pelt
On Friday, November 18, NRS hosted the 9th annual Spirit of Youth benefit at the Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago. Ten restaurant partners and six sponsored drinks stations surrounded tables in the North Lobby where guests enjoyed the wide array of food and drinks. A three-piece Spanish-style acoustic band played for two hours while guests had the opportunity to bid on items in a silent auction as well as in a live auction that closed out the evening.
Support from the National Runaway Switchboard's gracious sponsors, board members, and its many volunteers made the evening a huge success, raising over $115,000 for NRS' mission of keeping runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. The 2011 Spirit of Youth Award was presented to Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Fund for its support of at-risk youth and NRS' services.
Maureen Blaha presents Gregory Lewis with the 2011 Spirit of Youth award
The participating restaurant partners included Mexique, ZED 451, Nacional 27, Chef Fredy, Whimsical Candy, Saloon Steakhouse, Nick's Fishmarket Grill and Bar, LM Restaurant, Sushi Wabi, and California Pizza Kitchen.
The beverage sponsors were Half Acre Beer, Heitz Wine Cellars, Eno, Jim and Sue Walsh, and David Wells & Associates.
(left to right) Spirit of Youth attendees Jeremy Scott, NRS Administrative Assistant Sharri Bryan, NRS board member Luke Palese, Enrique Useche, and Katrin Duennemann
The 2011 Spirit of Youth sponsors were: Platinum Sponsor: United Airlines; Gold Sponsors: Carlton Technologies, Chicago Tribune, Greyhound Lines, Inc., and Radio Flyer; Bronze Sponsors: Citibank, FSCC Shared Branching, Graphidea, Hugh M. Hefner Foundation, Jim Criner & Michelle Downey, Stephen & Rosemary Mack, Christina Van Pelt & Larry Diskin, Bonnie & Steve Wheeler, and Richard Malone.