Commissioner Andolino to be Honored by Children’s Villages Illinois

CHICAGO, 2012-09-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino will be honored on October 18 by SOS Children’s Villages Illinois at its annual Crafted fundraising event in Chicago.

Andolino and Commissioner Andrew Mooney of the Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development will each receive a Distinguished Leadership Award. Andolino will be honored for her leadership in serving at-risk children and Commissioner Mooney will be recognized for building families through strengthening communities.

Crafted will take place at the River East Arts Center, 435 E. Illinois St., and will provide an evening of inspired music, cocktails and unique local eats benefitting SOS Children’s Villages Illinois. Enjoy live music while mingling and grazing on local favorites like Vosges Haut Chocolate and Terry’s Toffee, tasting small batch wines, handcrafted cocktails, craft beers, and delicious delectable food.

Special guests will also include Village Ambassadors Father Bruce Wellems of Claretians Missionaries; Anne Schneider, Illinois Transportation Secretary; Kristi Lafleur, Executive Director of the Illinois Tollway; Gilbert Villegas, Illinois Capital Development Board; and Erin Lavin-Cabonargi, Public Building Commission.

In addition to the Crafted Boutique featuring SOS Children’s artwork, an original painting by renowned artist, Matt Lamb, valued at $14,900, with three books reflecting his artwork, will be auctioned.

To purchase tickets online for Crafted click here or call SOS Children’s Villages Illinois at (312) 372-8200.

About SOS Children’s Village

SOS Children’s Villages Illinois (SOSCVI) is part the largest, non-denominational child care agency in the world with over 500 Villages in 132 countries. SOSCVI provides a viable alternative to traditional foster care. Children who come to live at an SOSVillage stay with their biological brothers and sisters in a private home. A full-time, professionally trained foster parent lives with them, and the whole Village gives them support, compassion and strength. SOS came to Illinois in 1993, when theLockportVillage opened. Today, the Lockport Village has 18 individual homes on a beautiful campus and a recreational Community Center. In 2004, SOS established the Chicago Village with 16 homes in the Auburn-Gresham community on the South Side. This was the first urban SOSVillage in the world that existed in the heart of a major city. As of 2011, SOS acquired a short-term, youth shelter and family services to hundreds of families in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood on the Southwest Side. Plans are underway to expand this project with a third Village serving this community in the coming years.

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