Gala Co-Chairs Caroline Masterson, Sally Brown Thilman
On a beautiful fall evening on Saturday Sept. 22, The Guild of the Chicago Botanic Garden welcomed 450 guests to the 14th Annual Harvest Ball. Co-Chaired by Sally Brown Thilman of Chicago and Caroline Masterson of Lake Forest, the event raised $400,000 that will benefit the Chicago Botanic Garden’s youth and teacher education programs who’s mission is to inspire a life-long interest in science and respect for our environment.
Auction co-chairs Megan Hoffman, Emily DeGroot and Kendra Thornton
The Black tie gala, had guests sipping on Moët & Chandon upon arrival and a sumptuous dinner catered by Calihan Catering. The different centerpieces and arrangements of white, pink and salmon roses were done by Botanicals. 
Auctioneer John Walcher of Leslie Hindman led the live auction that included such items as: domestic and international vacation packages, skybox tickets to a Chicago Bears game; New York Fashion Week in February, 2013; a trip to London and Paris; and a vacation package to Amangiri Resort in Utah and Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Arizona. Guests in attendance included: Eve and Randy Rogers, Liz Ryan, Kimberly and Randy Burt, Julie Selakovich, Cathy Busch, Sponsors for the successful fundraiser included: American Airlines, Moët & Chandon and Wirtz Beverage Group.
*Images: Robin Carlson. Robert Kusel
