Covenant News

Hospital Gala to Raise Funds for Community Outreach

CHICAGO, IL (September 3, 2004) - More than 900 people are expected to join in this year's GALA 2004: City Lights at Chicago's historic Navy Pier, an extravagant evening of dining and entertainment along the dazzling Michigan lakefront with proceeds benefiting Swedish Covenant Hospital, operated by Covenant Ministries of Benevolence of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC).

The 49th annual affair will take place October 30 and will also include an auction offering exotic trips, weekend getaways, one-of-a-kind artifacts, restaurant certificates, children's toys, tickets to sporting and musical events, museum memberships and designer baskets. Local radio personality Kathy O'Malley of WGN Radio is emcee for the evening, which also will feature Ken Arlen's 21-piece orchestra.

A highlight of the evening will be presentation of the annual Spirit of Compassion Awards. This year's recipients include the late Dr. Paul Carlson, a Covenant medical missionary killed by rebels in Congo in 1964, who also is one of the Covenant martyrs being honored by the ECC this year, the 40th anniversary of his death.

"It was easy deciding where to direct this year's gala funds," said 2004 chairs Dr. Tony Vancauwelaert and Ono Olivadoti. Proceeds will be used to fund numerous community outreach efforts, including the school-based health clinics at two Chicago public high schools and the hospital's House Calls and Home Health programs that offer services to Chicago's senior population.

Honorary chair of this year's gala is Chicago Mayor Richard M Daley, with Mark and Karen Newton and Dr. Jay and Liz Korach serving as co-chairs of the event. For more information on the gala, call Nikki Bonamarte at 773-878-8200, ex. 2492.

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