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AUCTION & RAFFLE
CRF 25TH ANNIVERSARY GALA
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.
AUCTION DONATION FORM
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.
OUR SPONSORS
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
