Marklund hosts 15th Annual Top Hat Ball

Marklund's 2011 theme, "Top Hat Ball Goes Hollywood" will include a Red Carpet experience complete with lights, cameras and paparazzi. There will be fine dining and dancing to the Al Sofia Orchestra, the presentation of Marklund's "Friends of the Year" award, and an exceptional live auction. End Quote

Chicago, IL (1888PressRelease) November 03, 2010 - Marklund will host its 15th Annual Black Tie Gala - "Top Hat Ball Goes Hollywood," at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, at the Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile, 540 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The gala is black tie preferred, and many guests are planning to attend in "red carpet" couture.

Funds raised will help Marklund, a not-for-profit that provides compassionate care to infants, children and adults with severe developmental disabilities.

Chaired by Mike and Carol Donahue of Geneva, the Top Hat Ball will include touches of glamour befitting its Hollywood theme. Guests will enjoy a Red Carpet experience complete with lights, cameras and paparazzi. There will be fine dining and dancing to the Al Sofia Orchestra, the presentation of Marklund's "Friend of the Year" award, and an exceptional live auction.

The Top Hat Ball is known for its lavish live auction items. This year's auction, chaired by Sue Wick of Lombard, surpasses all others. Auctioneer David Goodman of Chicago's Auction Results will offer packages that include Emmy and Grammy Award experiences, vacations, and other great travel and one-of-a-kind experiences.

A priceless auction item is two tickets to the 2011 Masters Tournament April 9 - 11, in Augusta, Georgia. The package includes airfare on American Airlines and a three night stay at a local home, condo or hotel. In addition, tee-times can be arranged at local courses including Reynolds Plantation.

"Marklund is thrilled to partner with the Chicago Marriott Downtown for the first time, and we are excited to turn their ballroom into a true Hollywood experience," said Jeannine Zupo, event director. "In addition, the food promises to be something very special."

The Chicago Marriott is one of only two Marriott's worldwide that features "Banquet Catering from Scratch," a concept for cooking for hundreds using only the homegrown and homemade food. For example, typical banquet fare involves frozen chicken patties, whereas the Chicago Marriott uses fresh bone-in, skin-on Freebird chicken from Amish country. The chicken is free-range and contains no antibiotics, which means diners are truly getting the best quality chicken available in the Midwest. The skin is left on for extra flavor so the chicken doesn't need to be smothered in sauce and spices to be delicious.

Even the salad dressings are very special. They utilize fresh herbs from the Marriott's rooftop herb garden, shallots from local farmers, and honey harvested from the thousands of bees living on the Marriott's Michigan Avenue rooftop.

"This exceptional approach to each menu item is a major reason we selected the Chicago Marriott for our 15th annual Top Hat Ball," Zupo said. "One would swear that the homemade chicken noodle soup came right from your grandmother's kitchen."

Besides Chairpersons Mike and Carol Donahue, Top Hat Ball committee members include Michael J. Ahlert, Jim Armbruster, Lynn Armbruster, Diana Book, Carie Carney, Jeff Cook, Karen J. Golden, Beth Gould, Robert Levy, Randy Lindenberg, Kate McCracken, and Jill Schluntz. Sue Wick serves as auction chairperson.

Guests will enjoy 2008 pricing with tickets available for $300 per person. Table sponsorship opportunities and discounted packages are available. To reserve tickets or for more information, call Jeannine Zupo, Top Hat Ball director, at 630-624-9874. For more information visit http://www.tophatball.com.

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