The 10th edition of Evanston MashUp honored long-time residents and philanthropists Penny Bender Sebring and Chuck Lewis with the Corrine Passage Spirit of Evanston Award. The award was inaugurated nine years ago to showcase and thank Evanstonians who embody the mix of qualities that is this City: visionary, compassionate, connecting, creative and compelling.
“Chuck and Penny have given so much for the betterment of our community; they even have a key to the City,” said MashUp co-Founder Patrick Hughes, Jr., also a past recipient of the Spirit of Evanston award. “Their work with the McGaw YMCA, the Second Baptist Church of Evanston, and the Golden Apple Foundation makes up only a part of the list. They more than embody the values of our City, and they fully deserve this honor from the combined Evanston and Northwestern communities.”
In 2012, the Spirit of Evanston Award was renamed to include the name of Corrine Passage, paying tribute to one of Evanston’s business and philanthropic leaders and one of the founders of the MashUp.
The Evanston MashUp is an annual celebration of all things Evanston under one big tent – designed to bring people together – entrepreneurs to executives, artists to accountants, musicians to mathematicians. Evanston Mayor Steve Hagerty and Northwestern President Morton Schapiro serve as co-captains of the event, hosted by Northwestern in coordination with the City of Evanston, the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and other business partners.
A portion of the proceeds benefit the Evanston Chamber of Commerce, promoting and growing business in the community.