SOS Children’s Villages Illinois Honors Andolino at “Crafted” Event

CHICAGO, 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — One week from today, on the evening of October 18, Rosemarie S. Andolino, Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Commissioner and Andrew Mooney, Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development Commissioner, will each be honored with a Distinguished Leadership Award at the SOS Children’s Villages Illinois fundraising event called “Crafted”.

Tickets for the event are still available. Click here or call SOS Children’s Villages Illinois at (312) 372-8200. Andolino will be honored for her visionary leadership in serving at risk children. Commissioner Mooney will be recognized for building families through strengthening communities.

“Crafted” will take place on Thursday, October 18, at the River East Art Center, 435 E. Illinois St.,where guests will experience an evening of inspired music, handcrafted cocktails and unique local eats benefitting SOS Children’s Villages Illinois. You will enjoy live music while tasting treats like locally-owned Vosges Chocolate and Terry’s Toffee, sampling small batch wines, hand crafted cocktails, craft beers and fun food.

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

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

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 SOS Village 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 the Lockport Village 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 SOS Village 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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