It was not a typical Saturday night at Hephzibah’s Group Home. The tables set with white tablecloths, flowers and glittering confetti in the dining room and trays of fancy stemware and homemade cakes lined up in the kitchen made it look like something fancy was about to happen. On Saturday, April 12, Oak Park Auxiliary Board members hosted a special gala especially for the 26 young residents, with all the details of a royal banquet.
Guests received official invitations earlier in the week, so anticipation had been growing. The kids entered the dining room wearing their dressiest outfits, carefully accessorized with items such as ties, purses, pearls and faux fur. Each guest found a bejeweled crown at his or her place setting.
The Auxiliary Board members, wearing black and white, served plated dinners of chicken, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and green beans to their seated guests. Small arms raised goblets of sparkling juice when a celebratory toast was proposed by Dave Wick, Oak Park Auxiliary Board member and chairman of the Kids Gala.
In a special ceremony following dinner, each guest received an individual award for an outstanding ability or talent. One boy was honored as the Master Lego Builder for his prowess in creative building. A girl was crowned Dancing Queen for doing the splits and dancing all the time — even in the car.
One boy was designated Renaissance Kid for his range of talent: he appreciates music of all types, runs lightening fast, and can build anything using cardboard, scissors and duct tape. Among the awards given out: Most Helpful, Mr. Fix-It, Master Reader, Best Bike Rider, and Biggest Heart. The kids were delighted to receive their awards and the accompanying chorus of cheers and applause.
After Natalie Noonan, secretary of the Oak Park Auxiliary Board, announced each award, the winner came forward proudly to collect a certificate and have a photo taken. Their smiles are the evidence of the wonderful evening they enjoyed. Thank you, Oak Park Auxiliary Board, for taking the time to make each child feel so special and valued.
The members of our three Auxiliary Boards meet monthly to plan activities with the Group Home kids and to assist with fundraising events. There are volunteer groups in Chicago, Oak Park, and the Western Suburbs. For information about joining an Auxiliary Board, contact Hannah Weigel at hweigel@hephzibahhome.org.
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