Meet our 2025 Award Winners!

It takes a heart of gold to support families and children in need. That’s why we set time aside every year for a big blowout gala honoring the people and organizations without whose help we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. This year’s theme, “A Child at Heart,” celebrates the 50th anniversary of Hephzibah’s Day Care program. Three awards will be presented at the ball: the Heart of Gold award, the Heart of the Home award, and the Community Partner award.

The Heart of Gold Award, which will be awarded to Northwestern Medicine this year, honors individuals, organizations or corporations who have exhibited outstanding personal or professional achievement affecting disadvantaged children on a local or national level.  Northwestern Medicine is widely recognized not only for its international reputation as a premier provider of health care but also as a leading advocate for community health. It delivers services across the state to enhance the well-being of individuals and their communities. For years, Northwestern Medicine has been one of Hephzibah’s most generous partners, offering vital financial support for children in need at Hephzibah Home, as well as valuable volunteer assistance. Throughout the year, Northwestern Medicine teams participate in various projects, including decorating the home for the holidays, sorting gifts for children in foster care, and serving Sunday Suppers at Hephzibah Home.

The Heart of the Home award is presented to those who have demonstrated exceptional service in one of Hephzibah’s many projects or programs. This year we honor our Kid’s Resale Event Managers who since 2017 have led the semi-annual resale event. These dedicated individuals have volunteered tens of thousands of hours and organized community volunteers to sort, tag, and sell a vast array of gently used clothes, toys, books, and games which has resulted in nearly $250,000 to support Hephzibah’s programs. With their help, the last resale event raised over $28,000 for the After School and Summer Camp programs, making it the biggest sale to date! The impact extends beyond Hephzibah, as families benefit from affordable, high-quality items for their children while also contributing to environmental sustainability by keeping thousands of pounds of clothing out of landfills.

This year we will also award a new Community Partner Award to Oak Park District 97 in honor of the 50th anniversary of Hephzibah Day Care and our community collaboration. In 1974, Hephzibah launched the Day Care Program to address the community’s increasing demand for enriching, nurturing, and affordable childcare. Over the past 50 years, the program has grown significantly and continually adapted to meet the evolving needs of the community, all with the support and collaboration of Oak Park School District 97. Today, more than 800 elementary school-aged children take part in Hephzibah’s After School Program, which is held onsite at each of the eight Oak Park elementary schools during the academic year, as well as the full-day Summer Day Care Program at Lincoln School.

 

The Heart of Gold Ball will be held on Friday, March 7th at Rockwell on the River in Chicago, and feature drinks, dinner, dancing, a silent auction, and live music. Join us in celebrating these community heroes. Snag your tickets here!

 

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