Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago Raises $790,000 at An Evening to Imagine Gala

GLENVIEW, IL – Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago celebrated the fourth anniversary of its Glenview facility with a festive black tie gala, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. More than 450 residents of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs attended An Evening to Imagine, which grossed an unprecedented $790,000 with all proceeds directly benefiting operations and outreach activities at Kohl Children’s Museum.

This year, An Evening to Imagine took place inside a spectacularly decorated tent adjacent to the Museum. Featuring a classic Broadway theme, the stylish New York supper club décor was accented with blue lighting, black linens and crystal.

The event honored Donna Greenberg of Highland Park, who has been on the Board of Trustees for 12 years, and stepped down in September 2009. She founded the Museum Women’s Board in 1995, which successfully hosts the annual “Touch a Truck” family festival, among many other special events and programming.

“In the entire universe of Kohl Children’s Museum supporters, there is no brighter star than Donna Greenberg,” shared Museum President and CEO Sheridan Turner as she addressed the gala attendees. “Her passion for giving children the gift of learning is inspirational. Friends and acquaintances see this and instinctively know the Museum is a project worth supporting. With her showstopper personality and commitment to Kohl Children’s Museum as a leading lady of fundraising, there is no one more deserving of a red carpet celebration than Donna.”

In true Broadway fashion, Ms. Greenberg was awarded a “Tony Award” for her Outstanding Performance. The evening’s entertainment included a “Mamma Mia!” parody, playfully titled “Donna Mia!” Performed by professional singers and dancers in 70s Abba-esque costuming, the lyrics celebrated Ms. Greenberg’s dedication to the Museum and her fundraising finesse.

Rich Daniels and the City Lights Orchestra provided the music for the evening, while attendees enjoyed a sumptuous dinner catered by Berghoff Catering. The Broadway supper club décor was designed by Ronsley. Over the course of the evening, more than 90 silent auction packages were distributed.

The funds raised will benefit outreach activities such as field trips for underserved schools, programming for hospitalized children, and will support programming and facility design for children with special needs.

The gala was co-chaired by Rick and Cate Waddell of Wilmette and Eric and Liz Lefkofsky of Glencoe. Gala Committee members included Pam Adelman, Deerfield; Sandra Crown, Winnetka; Pam Davis, Highland Park; Nancy Firfer, Glenview; Anni Goldberg, Northbrook; Geri Greenberg, Highland Park; Ilyse Greenberg, Newton, MA; Deb Hirschfield, Glencoe; Sandy Hoffman, Lake Forest; Judith Kaufman, Chicago; Beth Kohl, Winnetka; Dolores Kohl, Highland Park; Toby Newman, Highland Park; Allison Orlinsky, Chicago; Karen Pigott, Glenview; Amanda Ryan, Chicago; Maggie Scheyer, Glencoe; Barbara Schornack, Northbrook; Caroline Serlin, Glenview; Jeri Smith, Northbrook; Maureen Smith, Lake Forest; Tracy Souder, Glenview; Margaret Spaan, Northfield; Linda Sutenbach, Highland Park; Monica Thuet, Glenview; Estelle Walgreen, Lake Forest; and Carol Walter, Chicago.