Party nets $189,000 for employment skills for blind

(from left) Benefit Co-chairs Ladd Mengel, Vicki Apatoff, Katie Stevens and Woman's Board President Judy Castelleni The Woman’s Board of The Hadley School for the Blind delivered a first class Benefit, "Passport To Independence." The Benefit was held May 12 at the Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield, a pastoral setting for the almost 300 guests who attended the fun-filled evening and showed support for Hadley. The event included a raffle, a silent and live auction as well as dancing to the band Public i.

The event grossed $240,000 to further develop Hadley’s Business Skills Series. These courses teach students how to effectively navigate through the business environment, from acquiring interview skills to achieving professional success.

(from left) Richard Forsythe, David Clery and Sandy Forsythe “Almost two million visually impaired adults are not working and need these important tools to help them enter and stay in the job market,” said Vicki Apatoff, event co-chair and Hadley Woman’s Board member. “Helping our students to become independent and successful benefits us all. Winnetka is truly a community of caring, ‘can-do’ citizens and their support is integral to the continued success of the Hadley School.”

At the event George Abbott, Hadley’s Dean of Educational Programs and Instruction, gave a unique presentation on a day in the life of someone who is visually impaired. Each guest was asked to put on glasses that simulated a visual impairment condition and as a result they gained a greater understanding of vision loss.

(from left) Jeff and Debby Fox, Sarah and Larry Barden, and Edi and Ken Burns Among the items available for bidding were jewelry, a wine tasting dinner extravaganza for 12 people, art pieces, a trip to New York City with hotel accommodations, a private jet and a trip to Bandon Dunes for golfing, Cubs tickets, Goodman Theater and VIP Lounge Access and box seats for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Chicago Bears Football Club donated a “Be on the Field Experience” with the Chicago Bears, where the winning bidder will be on the field for pre-game warm-ups and will raise the kicking nets for field goal or extra point attempts.

Those in attendance were served filet mignon and fillet of salmon with citrus beurre blanc and lemon thyme rice and julienne vegetables with baby greens and citrus vinaigrette. For dessert guests were treated to a serving of chocolate soufflé cake with crème anglaise and raspberry sauce. Co-chairs for the event were Vicki Apatoff, Ladd Mengel and Katie Stevens.