On Saturday March 15, guests dressed in the tuxes, ball gowns or sticking to the Casino Royale theme will all make their way into the grand ballroom at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. Gala’s in Chicago are not uncommon, it’s the opportunity to raise lots of money for a cause and for guests to imbibe.
For Face the Future Foundation, their annual gala is the main fundraiser for something so major. The the foundation supports the Craniofacial Center at the University of Illinois Medical Center. Stefan and Morgan Holt will emcee this gala that will not only have you witness the work of the team as some of their past patients and families will be in attendance, you will also learn how you can help continue the work.
Imagine the struggle of going through up to 9 months of pregnancy, excitedly waiting to meet your child and upon delivery or as they mature realize that they have a very serious facial deformity. Your concern for that child now moves from the outer vanity to how this affects them emotionally and psychologically. Though there are some people out there able to afford the best care to help manage this, what about those that can’t? Who looks out for them? Face The Future Foundation does.
Debra Radway, a former wealth Advisor at Harris Bank, will chair the event that they hope will raise a good amount of money to continue sustaining the state of the art facility headed by Dr. Mimis Cohen and team.
The evening will also honor couple, Gus and Isabell Abello who have tirelessly fundraised and help bring awareness to this dear cause. We had a chance to speak with Mrs. Radway and the Abello’s about the upcoming event and why they support as strongly as they do.
SLC: How did you get involved with Face The Future
Debra Radway: A previous client of mine, Susan Payne, introduced me to the organization. I am passionate about children’s causes and Face the future deals with health issues so I was excited to get involved.
SLC: What are the chair duties that a lot of people don’t know about? It’s not just putting your name on an invitation and showing up.
DR: Our board has been instrumental in getting this off the ground. We have really great competent board members. My job has been to make sure our board members are placed in the right roles. Also fundraising.
SLC: What do you hope for guests to get out of Saturday’s event?
DR: I want them to have fun and learn more about the organization and all we continue to do. We have secured some amazing silent auction items and travel packages, it will be a great evening for a great cause.
SLC: What does receiving this award mean to the both of you?
Isabell & Gus: We don’t do it for the recognition. We are truly humbled and very honored. We’ve made lifelong friends as a result of being involved with Face The Future. It’s also given us inspiration to meet young people wanting to make a big difference.
The fact that we are able to watch lives being transformed by those gifted doctors, specialists and nurses has been a huge gift. When you look at the before pictures, it tugs at your heart and can’t imagine what it’s like for them and their parents. If it weren’t for a place like the craniofacial center they wouldn’t be able to afford that.
We are thankful to our family and friends for their support. We have friends coming from all over the country for the gala.
SLC: Fundraising seems like something you have to be good at, what are 5 things helpful to someone like our young readers looking to fundraise for their cause?
Isabell: The Young Associates of Face the Future host events, your friends may not want to give money but they will spend time with you and know that it’s for a worthy cause. Thats how you expose them to your cause. Our Associate board president for example is asking people to donate to Face The Future in lieu of wedding gifts. The holiday party we put on is also great because its a chance for everyone to interact with the patients.
Gus: An understanding of your cause is very important. Making it easy, you don’t need to ask but just share with them. Once you tell them about the cause, most will certainly ask, “how can I help?” and then make your ask.
It is hard to ask people for money but if you believe in what you are doing and you can tell people that a cause like Face The Future Foundation will give 98% of your donated amount directly to the cause, it’s impactful.
Have an honest cause and an honest organization.
People in Chicago are incredibly generous. Our daughter’s grammar school has been donating gifts to the holiday party since she’s graduated there about 8 yrs ago.
SLC: Do you think some of the best fundraisers are people with large newtork or people with long standing relationships?
DR: I think it’s people willing to ask. It’s both really, but its people who are comfortable asking and Gus & Isabell are very comfortable asking and they believe in the cause. If you educate them about the cause and they can connect with it, they want to help they just don’t know where.
