Legat Architects’ St. Paddy’s Day-themed ShareFest raises over $22,000 in buying power for Northern Illinois Food Bank to help solve hunger in 13-county region
The St. Patrick’s Day spirit visited Legat Architects’ Gurnee, Illinois studio three days early this year, and with it came a determination to help feed hungry neighbors in northern Illinois. On a chilly Thursday evening, shamrocks, leprechauns, (chocolate) gold coins, and the “Irish tricolour” flag greeted the 100+ participants of Legat’s ShareFest 2019.
“Our ShareFest events boil down to two things,” said Ted Haug, Legat principal and chief creative officer. “People getting together to have fun and contribute to a good cause.”
The fiddles and flutes of traditional Irish folk music and the scent of Reuben sandwiches set the tone as employees, clients, consultants, and vendors raised monies equating to over $22,000 in buying power for Northern Illinois Food Bank. The earnings support the organization’s efforts to solve hunger by delivering meals to more than half a million people in 13 counties each year. One of every seven people in northern Illinois benefits from the organization’s feeding programs.
Furniture rep Blake Kollar, wearing a green top hat and suspenders, said, “It’s heartwarming to see so many individuals and organizations coming together to address a problem that’s right in our backyards.”
A silent auction featured paintings, quilts, sculptures, and other artwork created or donated by Legat employees. One Irish-themed stained glass window got quite a bit of attention. Other fundraising activities included the Pot of Gold (chocolate coins) guessing game, a 50/50 raffle, and a Stuff the Box raffle. Legat employees also contributed 150 cans of food.
“Hunger is a very real problem right here in our communities,” said Andrew Palmer, Peer-to-Peer & Cause Marketing Development Officer with Northern Illinois Food Bank. “More than three-quarters of households in our service area have had to choose between paying for food and utilities in the past year. We depend on local businesses and events like Legat’s ShareFest to fulfill our mission of solving hunger.”
Local companies that contributed to the event by offering discounted prices include BHFX Digital Imaging, Jewel, McAlister’s Deli, and Cardinal Wine & Spirits.
See more photos from the 2019 ShareFest, or learn about Legat’s previous ShareFest, an Oktoberfest-themed affair that benefited Beacon Place, a nonprofit community center in Waukegan, Illinois.
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