Metropolitan Family Services Raises More Than $1.1 Million at Holiday Celebration

Generous sponsors and guests helped Metropolitan Family Services raise 1,187,000 at the 31st Annual Holiday Celebration, held Saturday, December 1, 2012 at the Hilton Chicago. The Gerst Family was honored as Metropolitan’s “Family of the Year” for its many contributions to Metropolitan Family Services.

All event expenses were generously underwritten by an anonymous donor. That means all event proceeds will go to support Metropolitan’s programs and services, which provide hope and opportunity to more than 53,000 Chicago-area families and individuals each year.

More than 700 guests came out to enjoy the Holiday Celebration, which was emceed by Tony Hunter, Publisher and CEO of the Chicago Tribune Co. The event featured various entertainment and activities including vocalists Liane Williams and Markiyla Moore, Sammie Torres and His Latin Ensemble, and the Calumet Center Community Schools Choir, as well as live and silent auctions, a wine raffle featuring select vintages, and a Holiday Giving Tree raffle. Tree raffle proceeds will benefit Metropolitan’s Upward Bound program, which prepares first-generation college students to successfully enter college. Watch the video below that shows how Metropolitan helps youth from toddlers to teens in the Upward Bound program realize their dreams.

Metropolitan Family Services thanks the event Co-Chairs, Host Committee, all sponsors and guests for making the event and its fundraising success possible.

About Metropolitan Family Services
Metropolitan Family Services gives hope and opportunity to families. We are human service leaders, dedicated to strengthening low-income, Chicago-area families. Families are the heart of strong communities, and we invest in services to help them reach their full potential. Metropolitan is Chicago’s first human services agency and reaches more than 53,000 families and individuals annually through seven community centers in the city and suburbs. Our services promote education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.