CASAblanca VII

It was an honor to serve as emcee for CASAblanca VII this year. As appointed court advocates for abused and neglected children, CASAs are the eyes and ears for the judges who must make tough decisions when it comes to where a child should live or not live. Although almost EVERY state gives millions of dollars a year to their CASA programs, Illinois DOES NOT. Yet, CASA programs save millions of dollars a year and they help take off just a little bit of the burden placed on social services. Most importantly, CASA's are there to always and only look out for the best interests of a child and make sure a child gets therapies, treatments and support. This is critical when you consider what some of these beautiful beings have already endured.

So! It was a humbling honor to emcee the event which raises much need money for these kids who deserve a chance to dream big and reach those dreams.

1)With Jeremy and singer Debra Romer who was a finalist on this past season of America's Got Talent. Both were children who grew up in foster care. Both have incredible stories of success.
2)The enormous ballroom as the gala got underway

Burrr!!!!

...and from Hoffman Estates to Burr Ridge. It was the annual Jingle Mingle parade and tree lighting. It is also a yearly tradition for Mrs. Illinois. This year, Miss Junior Teen Illinois All-American (and 2nd runner-up to Miss Junior All-American)Taylor Anne Marie Ignoffo was also part of the evening. There was a parade, tree lighting and story telling along with train rides and reindeer! I would have loved to stay for it all, but I had to be 45 minutes away to emcee the annual gala for CASA in Wheeling. Thank you to the Aceto's for arranging a Corvette for the night time parade and for braving the bitter cold. Thank you to Taylor for handling the night with such poise and polish.
1)With Marcie before the parade
2)With Taylor, Miss Junior Teen Illinois.

Wear What??

Today began in Hoffman Estates for the Barrington Junior Women's Club's Fall fundraiser. Former Mrs. Illinois contestant and 2009 runner-up, Darby Hill, was the event chair! I was asked to stroll the catwalk in fall fashions which apparently also includes some lycra courtesy of Lululemon. Now, I love Lululemon, but that was an extremely LONG runway to do in spandex and flats. But, all for a good cause. Darby, your event was a huge success and thank you to Tracey Tarantino of Zzazz Productions for including me.

A True Treasure

It's here!!! Each year, Mrs. Illinois is given a medallion necklace with the Mrs. America trademark on it. This has been a Mrs. Illinois tradition for 30 years and I am told Illinois is the only state allowed to do this. James and Williams designed a one-of-a-kind piece for me with diamonds and they even had hand made cut outs done on it. They really outdid themselves. They told me someone used very small tools for the carving of those letters! Bill, thank you again for your vision and your generosity as it is a true treasure.

Worth the Trip

This afternoon Marcie and Julie Aceto and I went to Worth, Illinois to the long standing boutique called, "That Girl." They are a sponsor of Mrs. Illinois and it was terrific being able to meet the owner, Ann. She has such a great selection of dresses for homecoming, prom and other such events in life.

Making the Holidays Merrier!

Here is a great way to spread some cheer AND help out Children's Memorial Hospital! You can order your Holiday cards, calendars, mugs and such through Children's and tinyprints.com and a portion of the proceeds will go to the hospital here in Chicago that creates miracles everyday for families in crisis.

Dream A Little Dream for St. Jude

St. Jude has done extraordinary work for children and their families for nearly 50 years. This afternoon was a testament of that. Some of the Mrs. Illinois America family gathers each year to attend the annual St. Jude luncheon in Chicago and it was sold out this year! More than 1300 people were a part of the fundraiser for the research hospital to help it treat, cure and prevent pediatric cancers and terminal diseases. I was asked to select and announce the winners of the grand raffle and found myself seated with Marlo Thomas. Her famous father,Danny Thomas, started St. Jude and is quite the star and author herself AND very funny!
We were also seated with the day's emcee Allison Rosatti from NBC5. Through my work in news, I had not met Allison as she is an anchor and therefore rarely outside the studio for stories, so it was about time we met in person! Just as I had been told before, she is a doll. We three had the good fortune to spend the afternoon with St. Jude Special Guest, Marget Graham. At only one year old, Marget was diagnosed with a rare inoperable neuroblastoma tumor which brought with it, only a 10% rate of survival. St. Jude stepped in and after a year of treatments, she was able to return home as the only survivor or her age group. Today, she is a mom to a little girl (who is PRECIOUS) and she has twins on the way this spring. And thanks to another 30 years of research, neuroblastoma now has a survival rate of 55% which is a big improvement.
It was a wonderful and inspiring afternoon. Thank you St. Jude for asking me to be a part of it!
1)Aren't they adorable?
2)The ballroom
3)Love her skirt!
4)with Marlo Thomas and Allison
5)Marcie Aceto, Julie Aceto, me, Michele Barber (Mrs. IL '03),Krista Cline,and Karen Lea Cline (Mrs. IL '98)
6)With newly re-elected Secretary of State, Jesse White