JOIN US ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2023 AS WE CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF THE CHICAGO ROWING FOUNDATION

THEATER ON THE LAKE

2401 N. Lakeshore Drive

6 PM 

 SEATED DINNER & PROGRAM

AFTERPARTY WITH DJ MATT ROAN

The Open Water Gala and 25th anniversary campaign is fundraising to support the significant growth and trajectory of the Chicago Rowing Foundation (CRF). Through three main areas of priority: accessibility, excellence, and opportunity, donors will support team development, community outreach, operational improvements, and expansion plans. CRF will anchor its fundraising on providing financial aid to athletes, supporting a world-class coaching staff, and funding for vital capital projects such as buildings, boats, and fleet. Our 25th Anniversary campaign will set the pace and trajectory to prepare CRF for the future—charting a path to open water to change lives meaningfully through the magic of rowing.   

CRF is the heart and soul of rowing in our vibrant and diverse city, introducing more than 1,500 community members to the sport of rowing every year, including youth from 32 middle schools and 40 high schools across the Chicagoland area. Guided by our dedication to foster accessibility, excellence, and opportunity, we believe that there should be no financial barriers to rowing. Since our inception, we have awarded more than $1.5M in financial aid, provided learn-to-row summer camps for teens, and adaptive programs for teens and adults with physical challenges as well as individuals on the autism spectrum and with Down syndrome. CRF offers activities for athletes of all ages, from 10–100. 

ABOUT THE EVENT

Something special is happening on the Chicago River. As we approach this milestone year, celebrating the 25th Anniversary is an opportunity to motivate our current families, alumni, and community leaders to come together, to work as a team, and to pull hard to help CRF’s athletes and programs continue for the next 25 years. With the entire city as our backdrop, we are looking forward to hosting the most successful gala event ever—a gala recognizing our athletes, volunteers, and civic leaders who have brought CRF to where it is today and who will propel CRF into the future. Join us for cocktails, a silent and live action, a seated dinner with open bar, speaker presentations, awards, and a celebration of the 2022 US Rowing Youth Women’s National Championship.

DO YOU HAVE THE PERFECT ITEM FOR OUR AUCTION?

Contributing an auction item to CRF's 25th Anniversary Open Water Gala is a unique opportunity for a corporation or individual to make a commitment to help us change lives through the magic of rowing.

Recognition Benefits:

• All auction donations valued at $1,000 or more will be included on the open water gala website (if received by December 1, 2022).
• Silent auction donations will be recognized on the mobile bidding platform & will include a description of the item / the donor's name (if received by December 1, 2022).
• Live auction donations will be featured on signage & projection screens during the event & described by the auctioneer during the live auction segment of the program.
• Additional information: final designation and placement into auction categories (live and silent) will be determined by open water gala staff.

We owe so much to our wonderful sponsors!

Olympic Presenting - $50,000

Platinum Premier - $25,000

Anonymous

Gold Sponsor - $15,000

Mark & Vanya Weglarz       Anonymous

Silver Sponsor - $10,000

Angie & Tom Holleb

Bronze Sponsor   $5,000

Heiji & Brian Black

The Rowney Family 

Matthew E. Steinmetz

Friends - $2,500

Su Bermingham and David Oliveira

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Brink

Lisa Buckley & Bob Fry

Sarah & Jeff Eberhard and Gair Eberhard Nelson Dedinas

John Hong & Ellee Pai Hong

Laurie & Scott Rose

Brian & Beth Swanson

Crew - $1000

Anonymous

Ajuna Ariathurai & Beth Provanzana

Athletic Specialities

Tracey & Ed Benford

Be the Boat Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. Mason H. Drake

Michael & Koli Donohue

David & JoAnn Falato

Bojan & Elizabeth Guzina

Anne Suh & Alan Hauser

Andrew & Veronica Hunt

Joshua Iverson

Jeff & Katarina Maiers

Nichole & Rich Milz

Sean & Gail O'Conner

George Mesires & Stuart Dyer

Madeleine Pember 

Robert & Catherine Children

Salon 1800

Regan Shepley

Julia & Errett Van Nice

IN KIND DONORS

Edward Schweitzer, Incognito Designs

Samantha & Jeff Kaplan

Nancy & Bill Ziegelmueller