BENNU's Birthday Benefit Mobilizes Lake County

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Chef Romie Auguste serving cake from La Luz Bakery

Whatever you need from me to help BENNU, I'm all in.

Lake Bluff, IL (Vocus) November 23, 2010

BENNU Legal Services, a Lake County, Illinois-based nonprofit Supporting American Dreams, hit the mark with its recent American Dreams—Giving Thanks event, a benefit held on November 9th to celebrate both Thanksgiving and BENNU’s second birthday. Rave reviews testify to both the high quality of the event, and to the value of BENNU’s mission to fill what would otherwise be a vacuum of legal services for small businesses, immigrants, and low-income families in Chicago’s suburbs.

The Byron Colby Barn, a popular venue due to its uniqueness, was packed with over 120 guests. Participants enjoyed a night of live entertainment provided by musician Jessica Porter, actors from 16th Street Theater, and emcee Hal Coxon of Consumer Credit Union, as well as a silent auction, cocktails, and a multicultural dinner provided through the generosity of Lewis Produce and La Luz Bakery, among others. Says attendee Mike Desko, “The folks at my tables were business professionals who attend many fundraising and other events. They were unanimously blown away by the quality of the event--the food, the silent auction items ... but, most importantly, by the quality and passion of BENNU’s mission as told by real people who the nonprofit has helped with legal aid.”

The passion Desko cites was also apparent in the performance of scenes from Kita y Fernanda, Tanya Saracho’s critically acclaimed play about friendship transcending class and immigration status, as well as in the form of testimonials from BENNU’s clients. One client, a domestic violence survivor, brought her 10-year-old son with her to thank BENNU for the new life BENNU helped them create. Another client, who immigrated from Greece, explained that, thanks to BENNU’s help with his small business and taxes, he now sees his American Dream being fulfilled and his family name making history through his daughter, a nationally ranked athlete.

In her testimonial as a BENNU volunteer, Ashley Vela from the College of Lake County’s Paralegal Program, moved some guests to tears as she recounted a pro-bono case in which a local immigrant woman was forced by her abuser to live in a tool shed with her three small children. With Ashley’s help, BENNU applied for a special U-Visa, which allows legal status to victims of serious crimes. Attendee Suzanne Coonan, from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, remarked how “uplifting and inspiring” it was to hear the way BENNU has impacted its clients’ lives. These testimonials resonate with the community, Coonan relates, and by the end of the night a big sense of “buzz and excitement” emerged around BENNU and its mission.

Individuals and organizations from across Lake County pitched in to make the event a success, including State Bank of the Lakes, Les & Linda Dlabay, Romie Auguste (catering), Taqueria Guerrero #1, Mickey Finn’s, Vinny’s, International Wine Importers, Nora Guini & Family, Pope’s Florist, Pepe’s Party Rental, Arthur Murray Dance Studios, Wellness Solutions, Ristorante Bottaio, Casey Nursery & Landscaping, College of Lake County POPS Club, L.A. Fitness, Kenny the King Tobacco & Cigars, Marriott Theatre, Joanne Middlesworth, Bella Custom Designs, TreSe Productions, and PNC Bank.

One guest’s remark to an event coordinator sums up the staggering rally of support: “Whatever you need from me to help BENNU, I’m all in.” With gratitude and hope, Executive Director Andrew Sagartz says, “BENNU is thankful to Lake County for making the night a resounding success. Opening hearts, BENNU raised funds so that as a nonprofit legal aid provider we can take on at least an additional case each month, or 12 cases. With an estimated 10,000 victims of domestic violence just among the Hispanic community in Lake County, we’ve obviously still got a lot of work to do.”

About BENNU Legal Services

BENNU Legal Services, an innovative nonprofit Supporting American Dreams, provides low-cost legal services and education to help families and individuals new to the United States to legalize and integrate. Through our services, BENNU also supports small business entrepreneurs and helps address important issues such as domestic violence. To meet clients’ needs, we offer services on a sliding-fee-scale, and sometimes pro-bono, basis. Our multicultural staff meets clients at locations convenient to them. BENNU also conducts vocational trainings to increase employability, helping individuals successfully rise to new beginnings like our symbol, the Egyptian phoenix or bennu bird. To learn more, visit http://www.BENNULegal.org.

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