A Safe Place Celebrates its 40th Anniversary and Raises $248,000 Toward Services for Families of Domestic Violence
LAKE COUNTY, IL – More than 300 guests walked past 25 powerful, soul-stirring images created by survivors of domestic violence expressing their personal healing journeys as they entered the “Unmask the Violence: Empowered Voices” Gala to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of A Safe Place on October 6 at the Chicago Marriott Lincolnshire.
“It was inspiring to see the efforts of so many come together to create such a successful gala and we were amazed at the generosity of the people who attended and participated,” said A Safe Place Board Member and Gala Co-Chair Michael Strauss. “I know that the words of the speakers and victims resonated with everyone in attendance, and it is my hope that this annual gala will help to end the epidemic that is domestic violence.”
The Unmask the Violence Gala is the largest fundraiser of the year for A Safe Place, Lake County’s sole provider of services exclusively addressing domestic violence in the Chicagoland area. All proceeds support the organization’s lifesaving programs and services for victims of domestic violence and their children, including crisis support, housing, legal advocacy, counseling, community outreach, and education to prevent future abuse. Last year, A Safe Place served over 16,000 of our neighbors.
Generous sponsors of the event included Autohaus on Edens, Michael & Andrea Rosengarden, Abbvie, the Steve & Barbara Anderson Family Charitable Fund, Melinda & Andrew Bush, The Chicago Bears, Northwestern Memorial Healthcare, Schlesinger & Strauss LLC, Victoria Trauscht, David & Patty Anderskow, AON, Mary Kay Foy & Tim Vezeau, Nancy & Marvin Himmelstein, IRON HORSE Seating, Libertyville Bank and Trust Company, Bonnie & Gene Minsky, Ernie & Dawn Rogers, and Rust-Oleum.