Scenes From The $3 Million Raising 2022 Children’s Ball





Scenes From The $3 Million Raising 2022 Children’s Ball
Scenes From The $3 Million Raising 2022 Children’s Ball
Scenes From The $3 Million Raising 2022 Children’s Ball
Scenes From The $3 Million Raising 2022 Children’s Ball
Scenes From The $3 Million Raising 2022 Children’s Ball
Scenes From The $3 Million Raising 2022 Children’s Ball
Scenes From The $3 Million Raising 2022 Children’s Ball
Scenes From The $3 Million Raising 2022 Children’s Ball
Scenes From The $3 Million Raising 2022 Children’s Ball
Scenes From The $3 Million Raising 2022 Children’s Ball
Scenes From The $3 Million Raising 2022 Children’s Ball
To raise $1 million, talk less of $3 million for a charity event is no small feat but as the one and only Beyoncé sang, “Ain’t nothing to it, boss” when your event is co-chaired by excellence in Devanee and Alex Washington. The Children’s Research Fund’s signature event, “The Children’s Ball,” presented by The Boeing Company, returned this year after a Covid hiatus. Hosted at the Hilton Chicago on Saturday, Dec. 3, the event themed “ReConnect,” hosted by 2022 Children’s Research Fund Campaign and Children’s Ball Co-Chairs Devanee and Alex Washington, welcomed more than 850 guests for the black tie gala.

For the gala, the Washingtons made it a family affair by involving their three dynamic children, Victoria, Alex IV and Nadia. Each had a role in the evening, introducing speakers and even reading an original poem based on the “ReConnect” theme.


Over $3 million was raised at the event, helping to reach a record-breaking $7.3 million total for the annual campaign. The funds raised will go towards the Children’s Research Fund’s current five-year, $10 million commitment to support the wide spectrum of vital research conducted at the Manne Research Institute and the Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

The evening began with a cocktail reception before the drumline from Chicago’s St. Ignatius College Prep led the guests to the International Ballroom and the first dance set by headline band Time Chicago. After welcoming remarks, guests enjoyed an energetic set from youth band Next Week, followed by an elegant seated dinner. After dinner, there was a brief speaking program and a moving patient video was shown followed by a paddle-raise and dancing into the night.


The evening included remarks from the Children’s Ball event co-chairs Devanee and Alex Washington, who opted to speak from the floor, walking the room with a wireless mic. In addition to remarks from Lurie Children’s President & CEO Dr. Tom Shanley, and Children’s Research Fund Chair Jamie Pasquale, the audience was inspired by the words and work of pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Sandi Lam, who spoke compellingly about the need to fund research so that no child suffers from intractable epileptic seizures. Another highlight of the evening was when Nadia Washington took to the podium to debut her poem entitled “ReConnect.”
“The Children’s Research Fund has been committed to the advancement of research for more than 70 years,” expressed Devanee Washington. “As parents, we share the belief that the good health of children is a precious gift, and we are honored to chair this year’s Children’s Research Fund Campaign and Children’s Ball.”

This year’s Children’s Research Fund Ball thanks presenting sponsor, The Boeing Company, as well as CBRE, Inc., Wind Point Partners, and Wintrust, among others. To donate or attend 2023 Children’s Ball, please visit childrensresearchfund.org. Scroll up to the gallery above for more pictures from the 2022 Children’s Research Fund Children’s Ball presented by Boeing company.
Subscribe to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram to stay up-to-date on the latest society, style, beauty and luxury lifestyle news.


pronounced: Boh-la-jee, like the Bellagio but w/o the O. SLC Founder and Editor, loves to write about topics at the intersection of career and lifestyle for today's young professional and future leaders.