Past Events

Honor Thy Mother Luncheon
This year's Honor Thy Mother luncheon showcased how literature touches our lives in many ways. On May 7 at Sunset Ridge Country Club, keynote speaker and award-winning author Jane Hamilton charmed over 200 guests with stories of how books opened worlds in her own life. Hamilton is the author of celebrated novels The Book of Ruth and A Map of the World. Along with Hamilton, the program featured four young women from our Book Groups who read their original poems, and we honored long-time supporters and dear friends of Literature for All of Us, Helen and John Moshak. Our Fund-a-Program auction raised over $10,000, directly supporting The Body Project, Retreats and the Children's Literature for Parenting program. Overall, the event raised more than $54,000.

SPECIAL THANKS to Jane Hamilton, Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield, event co-chairs Angela Valavanis and Lydia Evans, committee members, volunteers, all of our guests who shared their warmth and generosity, and...
EILEEN FISHER
Julie Pawlowicz, Natural Charm
Mike Smith, Mission Press
Roberta Rubin, The Book Stall at Chestnut Court
Kessler Orlean Silver & Company, P.C.
Noreen Edwards Metz, Design Green Landscapes
Dan Murphy and Nathan Kawaller
Christine McClure Photography
Lydia Evans, Letterpress by Lydia
Court Theater
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Flemings Steak House
Nuns 4 Fun Entertainment
Victory Gardens Theater

*See pictures from the event through our Facebook page.

Salsa Caliente
It was a beautiful night at the Standard Club in Chicago on February 12th when 225 friends of Literature for All of Us celebrated our good work.

Amid dancing, delicious food and drinks, attendees heard from special guests Dr. Ginger Malin and alumna Jerusalem Singleton. Dr. Malin shared about the impact of Literature for All of Us from her perspective as an educator, and Book Group alumna Jerusalem Singleton spoke on her experience as one of the first Book Group participants.

A very special thanks to event chair Eileen Share, committee members, and all of our event sponsors and contributors, helping us raise over $90,000 that evening.

Click here to see photos from the event.

Nicole Krauss Luncheon
The afternoon of Wednesday, October 27, Literature for All of Us and The Book Stall at Chestnut Court welcomed author Nicole Krauss for an intimate luncheon at Avli Restaurant in Winnetka. Seventy-five guests attended, raising over $2,700 for LFAOU.

Krauss captivated guests with her comments about the power of reading and answered questions about the writing of A History of Love and her newest novel Great House. What a pleasure to have her for such a special event!

Special thanks to Nicole Krauss, Roberta Rubin and The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, and event coordinators Abby Power and Lissa Karron.

Honor Thy Mother Luncheon 2010
Last year, the Honor Thy Mother luncheon celebrated the stories of women and the powerful role of literature in their lives. Over 200 guests listened to Book Group Leaders describe the programs they are passionate about, and two participants read their poetry. Alum Sonja Mixon also shared her story, and Elizabeth Berg, author of numerous books including Home Safe and The Last Time I Saw You, shared how writing influenced her life. Thanks to the generous support of guests, our Fund-a-Program auction raised over $14,000, which has been matched by an anonymous donor. These funds will directly support the Boys Initiative, the Re-Creation Project and the Children's Literature for Parenting program. Overall, the event raised more than $62,000. Big thanks to our event co-chairs Angela Valavanis and Mary Kay Johnson and to all the committee members!

SPECIAL THANKS:
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the following businesses that gave their support for this year's Honor Thy Mother event.

The Doubletree Hotel
First Slice
Flat Out Crazy Restaurant Group
Mission Press
The Book Stall at Chestnut Court
Christine McClure Photography
Letterpress by Lydia
Maria Ballantyne Public Relations
JMH Marketing
Iris B. Communications
Design Green Landscapes
JpStudios Graphic Design
Random House Publishing
Floral Gardens, Highland Park
Sutton Place Hotel

*Check out pictures from these events and more on our Facebook page.