Search for Adventure is a Success!
We are thrilled to share that Search's first signature fundraising event, Search for Adventure: Celebrate the Journey, was a huge success! Nearly 300 people gathered on Saturday, May 9 to honor the JJ's List Disability Awareness Players and celebrate the recent accomplishments of Search, Inc. Guests mixed and mingled in an elegant cocktail reception held at the beautiful Montgomery Club. In between savoring delicious appetizers and food stations prepared by the excellent chefs at Gibsons Steakhouse, attendees visited the silent auction tables to bid on 40 exciting adventure-themed packages. Overall the event raised more than $90,000 to support the important programs of Search!
During the event, guests enjoyed a live program featuring remarks from Beth Valukas, Executive Director of Search, and John Lipscomb, CEO of the Keystone Alliance, as well as the debut of Search's new organizational video! We were privileged to welcome Emily Harris, Executive Director of ADA 25 Chicago, to join us in presenting the Trailblazer Award to the Disability Awareness Players. Emily spoke to the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a landmark piece of civil rights legislation that was signed into law 25 years ago this July, and how the Players truly embody the mission of the ADA by breaking down barriers of stigma and promoting accessibility. The Disability Awareness Players were introduced through a short, impactful video, then came on stage one by one to accept their awards. The live program finished with a rousing game of Heads or Tails led by JJ Hanley and Sarah Armour!
Congratulations to the winner of Heads or Tails, who won a $250 shopping spree to the Planet Access Co. Store, and the winner of our raffle drawing, who won an iPad Air. Proceeds from the Heads or Tails game will help fund a vacation trip for a lucky group of Search program members and proceeds from the raffle will go towards a new computer lab for job training.
A very big thank you to everyone who made our first signature annual event a success, especially families of people we serve, Search employees, Board members, our generous sponsors, donors and volunteers! Your generous support allows Search to provide quality services to the people we are honored to serve.
Make sure to visit our Facebook page to see all the photos from the event!