Friday, May 3, will mark the return of the annual Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois gala at Double Clutch Brewery. Tickets are available for $150. Double Clutch is located at 2121 Ashland Ave.
“This single event has been the primary monetary engine for our organization to climb out of the pandemic of 2020 and consistently serve those in need,” says Executive Director Deborah Mack. “But it can never be accomplished without the vigor and intent of our powerhouse network of volunteers.”
“Our goal is to match 2023 in raising $130,000 so we can reach more homebound elderly and disabled individuals in need of nourishment and companionship,” adds Mack.
Nearly 800 volunteers work together to coordinate, pack and deliver the meals every day. While Meals on Wheels cherishes all volunteers, Mack and the Board of Directors will present three volunteer awards at the gala: the Barbara Lavoy, the Elisabeth McHugh and the Carl Fletcher awards.
The Barbara Lavoy Lifetime Achievement Award honored Ms. Lavoy, who was an Evanston school teacher and dedicated, long-time volunteer. The 2024 honoree is Jim Greenlee. Jim has been a volunteer for four years now. He makes himself available to drive around our geographic footprint for our clients – always polite and always willing to step in whenever and wherever we need.
The Elisabeth McHugh Volunteer of the Year Award honors Board Director Michael McHugh’s late wife Liz, with whom he delivered meals on Saturdays. It was their time together away from kids and work obligations. Michael often talks about Liz taking food to clients while he waited for her to finish her visits with each person. The 2024 honoree is Karen Shankman. When asked why Karen is such a dedicated volunteer, she responded by saying it gives her life meaning and purpose, and that she is a people person, so this is doubly meaningful. Karen delivers meals twice a week to her clients and always enjoys catching up with them.
New in 2023 is the Carl Fletcher Award. Carl works tirelessly behind the scenes several times a week without much fanfare. He is the kind of regular volunteer whose help is so consistent that it feels almost normal. But it’s anything but normal – it’s extraordinary. Carl is the kind of person who magically takes care of things, giving staff tremendous relief and became an essential part of the team. The 2024 Carl Fletcher honoree is Mike Corrigan. Mike is one of Meals on Wheels’ distribution drivers. Always happy to see the drivers when distributing the bags of meals to his fellow volunteers for the day, Mike goes the extra mile to organize his deliveries. In addition to delivering meals, Mike, a retired electrician, has spent tireless hours changing light fixtures, electrical outlets and is an all-around positive presence at Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois.
The Yes or No Combo, made up of Evanston Township High School jazz ensemble students, will entertain guests as a prelude to the meal – actual Meals on Wheels recipes curated by Food Service Director Sam Landman. There also will be a small silent auction that will include tickets to the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bulls games, a tour of the brewery at Double Clutch for 10, wine from Evanston’s Wine Goddess, a Board of Directors-donated wine basket, tickets to Evanston’s SPACE with dinner prior at Union Pizzeria, tickets to Northwestern University’s theater production “The Tempest,” as well as a dinner/wine pairing in your home for eight from Barilla’s esteemed Chef Boni.