Tom and Erin Butler share a laugh during the evening’s festivities.
Tom and Erin Butler share a laugh during the evening’s festivities.
Billy Baruth and Kathy Hart with Julia Sweeney and Michael Blum
Billy Baruth and Kathy Hart with Julia Sweeney and Michael Blum
Alex Cummins wins heads and tails.
Alex Cummins wins heads and tails.
Jane and Neil Cummins dance to the music of Greenlight.
Jane and Neil Cummins dance to the music of Greenlight.
Julia Sweeney and Michael Blum survey the silent auction items.
Julia Sweeney and Michael Blum survey the silent auction items.
Hope Whiting with her mother, Suzanne Whiting
Hope Whiting with her mother, Suzanne Whiting
THE PARTY Dressed in their black-tie best, 220 partygoers enjoyed a cocktail reception, dinner and dancing to live music by Greenlight for the 21st annual Cradle Ball, all at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago. THE PEOPLE Among the hundreds of guests: former Saturday Night Live cast member and Wilmette resident Julia Sweeney, who spoke about adopting her daughter in 2001. The evening’s emcee and live auctioneer was Cradle mom Kathy Hart, co-host of Eric and Kathy the morning show on 101.9 FM’s The Mix. THE PINNACLE The fun continued with silent and live auctions offering fabulous prizes, including a vacation in an Italian villa and autographed Blackhawks items. In recognition of companies that support the adoption process by providing their employees with adoption benefits, the agency presented Silver Cradle Awards to 21 exemplary businesses. By the end of the night, more than $130,000 was raised to make and support adoptive families. –Photos by Jonathan Kirn
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