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Philanthropists get Blu for Shedd
BLU Leadership Committee.: David Trace (from left) originally of Lake Forest, John Hennegan, Katelyn Danielski and Claudine Tambuatco all of Chicago; G.P. Searle of Winnetka, Susie Gura of Chicago and Auxiliary Board President Jack Hammond of Glenview. | Lee A. Litas~Sun-Times Media
Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Phone: (312) 939-2438 or see: sheddaquarium.org.
Article Extras
Updated: September 24, 2012 6:02AM
The Event: The 32,500 animals and 1,500 species currently housed at Chicago’s John G. Shedd Aquarium added another 1,200 to their totals, albeit of the two-legged variety, on July 28 for the sixth annual auxiliary board fundraiser, BLU.
Led by co-chairs Janet Barnes and Ashley Weinzweig, the sold-out event was held in support of Shedd’s conservation and education initiatives. A conservation leader since 1930, when Shedd first opened its doors with the greatest variety of sea life under one roof and the first ever inland aquarium with a permanent saltwater collection, the belief behind Shedd continues to be that animals connect us to the living world inspiring us to make a difference.
Cause célèbre: “I’ve been coming here since I’ve been a kid,” said Jack Hammond, auxiliary board president. “Three hundred thousand Chicago public school kids come through here on an annual basis and Shedd does a great job with education and conservation.”
The care for the environment was evident even in the evening’s choices of sustainable amuse-bouches, which featured American paddlefish caviar; mouth-watering Sweetspring Salmon, the only sustainably-farmed salmon in the world; and the planet-friendly event even incorporated the use of signs made from recycled materials, which will be repurposed for other Shedd events and compostable plates and silverware.
“It’s a great way to have a good time, but also to do something that contributes to the Shedd,” said Weinzweig.
Shedd’s auxiliary board is made up of 70 young professionals from a wide spectrum of local organizations. “We have young philanthropists in Chicago coming to support the Shedd. It’s great for the family and for professionals,” said Barnes.
And, Stoner Gray, of sponsor Martin Codax, added, “We want to continue to help the local community.”
Bottom line: The event raised $266,000 in support of Shedd’s conservation and educational initiatives.~ ~.
