Here is a view into “Spirit of Youth 2016”

We had an amazing time with our board members, supporters and staff at this year’s “Spirit of Youth” at Navy Pier.

Our first “indoor street festival” was a great success, raising nearly $170,000 to date (the online auction is open until Nov. 30th) to help support NRS services. However, the loveliest aspect of all in the event was the smiles and laughter of our guests as they enjoyed our carnival attractions, like the Chicago Tribune Bungee Cord Race, or the Radio Flyer Race Track, Carlton Technologies Slide, and AimNationalease Twister.

The Sapir Work-Relay Food Truck Square was bursting with tasty treats from the eight food trucks that joined us, offering sliders, tacos, cupcakes, pizza and more. Diego Colon of “Diego Sol and the Metronomes” regaled us with covers of the latest hits at the United VIP Club. On the EY Stage, the acapella group The Northsiders filled the event with their voices, and Cielito Lindo Family Folk Music, a family of youth musicians who were both adorable and incredibly talented. Over at the Steel Olympic Wolfort Family Pavilion, First Nonprofit Foundation received the 2016 Spirit of Youth Award.

Below are some of the moments we were able to capture. If you were able to attend, feel free to relive your experience.

: NRS Executive Director Maureen Blaha with President and CEO of First nonprofit Foundation and 2016 Spirit of Youth Award Recipient, Joe Geiger

: (L. to R.) Spirit of Youth (SOY) Co-chairs and NRS board members, Joyce Werner Sapir, Troy Mcdonald Kane, with NRS board member and SOY task force member Erica Wolfort at Spirit of Youth 2016