Oktoberfest-themed event combines camaraderie and creativity to raise $5,200 for Waukegan nonprofit community center
[Gurnee, IL] – On October 5, the Oktoberfest spirit took over Legat Architects’ Gurnee, Illinois studio for ShareFest 2017. Over 100 people gathered amid the sounds of German Oompah and the aroma of grilled brats. Catenary lighting, craft beer, pumpkin pie, and seasonal flowers added to the aura.
ShareFest 2017 united clients, employees, building industry professionals, friends, and family members to raise funds for Beacon Place in southern Waukegan. The event brought in over $5,200 for the nonprofit community center known among locals as “the big blue house” on McAlister Avenue.
Beacon Place will use the funds to support its programs in health, academic support, and life skills for children and families in the Waukegan/North Chicago area. Since its founding in 2012, Beacon Place has helped more than 700 children and families, served more than 15,000 meals, and offered over 3,400 hours of programs.
ShareFest 2017 consisted of a 50/50 raffle, along with a silent auction featuring artwork created by employees. Legat’s Sharyn Macier, winner of the raffle, donated her half of the winnings ($500) to Beacon Place.
“Beacon Place is all about giving people a chance to succeed,” said Peggy Talbot, Beacon Place board treasurer. “Because of this event and its many generous participants, many of the families that we serve are going to have a brighter tomorrow.”
Creativity for Charity
The idea for ShareFest originated during discussions among Legat leadership about creating a venue to showcase employees’ creativity.
“Between our five studios, we have many aspiring and established artists,” said Legat’s Casey Frankiewicz, principal and director of healthcare. “We wanted to host an event that not only gave them a platform, but also raised money for a good cause.”
Incidentally, Frankiewicz and Ted Haug, Legat’s head of design, had recently donated design of an annex to Beacon Place’s Waukegan campus.
Haug said, “Beacon Place turned out to be the perfect beneficiary. The people there are passionate about improving the community, plus Legat was founded in Waukegan and operated a studio there for over 50 years.”
Legat put out a firmwide call for artistic submissions to employees and their families. By the time the ShareFest came around, there were no less than 30 items up for auction. Among the employee contributions were digital art, sketches of European cities, and oil and watercolor paintings. Family member artwork included a photograph of Prague in the late-sixties, a handmade quilt, a “steampunk lamp” that stirred quite a bit of discussion, and many other donations.
