The Nazareth Home Gala Chef Tasting and Live and Silent Auction was the place to be last month.
More than 400 guests filled the atrium of the Hammond Federal Courthouse to feast on an array of hors d’oeuvres and desserts prepared by some of the area’s finest restaurants and caterers, including Ashley Archer, executive chef at Ameristar Casino and Hotel, East Chicago; Cheryl Molenda, chef at The Inn at Aberdeen, Valparaiso; Glennard Brooks, executive chef at Hilton Garden Inn, Merrillville; Carl Lindskog, executive chef at Paparazzi Restaurant, Valparaiso; Jack Mix, owner of Comfort’s Catering, St. John; Terry Zych, hospitality program chair at Ivy Tech Community College, Michigan City; and Nicole Bissonnette and Gary Sanders, owners and executive chefs for Bartlett’s Gourmet Grill & Tavern, Beverly Shores, Bistro 157, Valparaiso, and Miller Bakery Café, Gary. (To see pix of some of these chefs at work, visit my.nwi.com/insight)
Lake County Councilman and local attorney Tom O’Donnell served as the celebrity auctioneer for the live auction, accepting bids for a cruise for 12 adults aboard the Northstar yacht, with beverages and hors d’oeuvres; a five-day, four-night Thanksgiving weekend getaway to a downtown Chicago condo overlooking Millennium Park and Monroe Harbor with limousine transportation and a gift card for a dinner on the town; an elegant Hearts on Fire diamond pendant from James & Sons Jewelers; a seven day/six night trip for six to Quail Run Resort in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with airfare; and, an amazing Sports Classic Collection package that included golf for four at Briar Ridge Country Club, tickets to games of the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bears, Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame, with sports memorabilia from Purdue, Notre Dame, Chicago Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks and sports cards featuring players from 1988 to 1995.
Guests also had the opportunity to bid on Nazareth Home "Miracles" (an open opportunity to support a variety of unrestricted needs at the home). Winning bidders received a complimentary bottle of champagne, stylishly decorated with a commemorative Gala label, and a sterling silver charm to thank the bidder for their support.
Guests could also bid on more than 130 silent auction items, including electronics, accessories, entertainment and sports items, home decor, and a variety of gift baskets donated by businesses and individuals alike.
The Gala Advisory Committee was chaired by Tom Collins, president of Collins Interests Inc. He was assisted by committee members Jane Bomberger, Reggie Dotson, Beth Kaminski, Sr. Barbara Kuper, Karren Lee, Joanne Markiewicz, Hilda Pabey, Terry Quinn, Cindi Rucinski, Milt Triana and Janice Moss-Woods.
Collins received special recognition at the gala for his longtime commitment and unwavering support of Nazareth Home.
The General Planning Committee was cochaired by Judy Schlosser and Peggy Guernsey, and they were assisted by members Lillian Beasley, Gretchen Bray, Barbara Dabrowski, Leroy Fassett, Maria Orozco, Joyce Koch, Sr. Barbara Kuper, Eileen McKern, Mary Paquin, Gloria Pestikas, Renae Brantley and Deb Trelo.
The seventh annual fundraising event is a benefit for Nazareth Home, a licensed foster home for medically compromised children in East Chicago. Infants and children are placed at Nazareth Home through referrals from the Indiana Department of Child Services and receive individualized care 24 hours a day.
The children who come to Nazareth Home often have unique medical challenges that require the attention of trained and dedicated staff and volunteers. Nazareth Home is committed to meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of these infants and children who are faced with extraordinary challenges in life as a result of being abandoned by, or removed from, families without the capacity to provide appropriate care.
Sr. Barbara Kuper, PHJC is the director and foster mother at Nazareth Home.
Proceeds from this annual fundraising event are dedicated for the operational costs of Nazareth Home, a ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ administered by Ancilla Systems Inc.
To find out how to help or for more information on Nazareth Home, call (219) 947-8559
Note: My blog has a new home. For more of the Insight Scoop with more photos and upcoming events visit my.nwi.com/insight.
