Now in its seventh year, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago's Lawn Ball gets its name from the view at the cocktail reception. Held annually at the Saddle and Cycle Club, the summertime function starts with cocktails on a terrace overlooking acres of manicured greenery. This year's Friday night event, co-chaired by Tiffany Erickson, Ziv Lalich, and Alicia Walters, raked in $213,000 through ticket sales and silent and live auctions.
This year's newly expanded silent auction had a focus on trips and experiences. Packages ranged from his and hers ski jackets and a one-week stay in Park City, Utah to round-trip airfare for two to Los Angeles and a two-night stay at Montage Beverly Hills. A new lot, known as the Treasure Chest, was filled with 48 gift cards to local businesses and raised $4,800 alone.
During dinner, NBC 5 news anchor Zoraida Sambolin, a Boys and Girls and Club alum, spoke about her experiences at the club and introduced Yolandis McCaskill, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago's 2011 Youth of the Year.
Immediately following McCaskill's speech—which earned a standing ovation—an auctioneer asked guests to raise their paddles in a live auction that let them donate directly to the cause.
