“Whether They Are Young or Old, Hungry or Addicted, Homeless or Friendless…” For over 98 years, Catholic Charities has been serving every neighborhood and parish in the Chicagoland area, regardless of religious, ethnic, or economic background. Learn more by watching this video.
On April 28, Catholic Charities held its 28th Annual Blossoms of Hope Brunch, supporting the Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide (LOSS) program. The annual fundraiser drew 900 supporters to Drury Lane Theatre at Oakbrook Terrace for its famous Champagne Brunch. The popular Sunday destination features over 10 gourmet food stations, lavish cocktails, and a rich dessert bar.
Attendees enjoyed a day full of good food, high morale, and hope hosted by HGTV and NBC’s “American Dream Builders” design star Monica Pedersen. The 28th Annual Blossoms of Hope Brunch raised over $130,000 for the LOSS program.
The 2019 Charles T. Rubey LOSS Award was presented to Ronnie Susan Walker MS, LPC for her postvention efforts. After her stepson died by suicide in 1995, she worked very closely with the LOSS program. Walker has since served as a support group facilitator and clinician for LOSS and is founder and executive director of the nonprofit Alliance of Hope for Suicide Loss Survivors.
For 40 years, the Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide (LOSS) program has been supporting families through the trauma of losing a loved one by suicide.
The 28th Annual Blossoms of Hope Brunch was made possible thanks to the Blossoms of Hope Brunch Committee; the 2019 Brunch Committee Chair, Mary Ann Rowan; and Co-Chair Sue McErlean.
Emily Stone earned a degree in journalism from Elon University in North Carolina. Along with writing, Stone has a passion for digital storytelling and photography. Her work has been published in Chicago Athlete Magazine. Stone is a supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Stone is a fluent Spanish speaker who in her free time loves a good dance class.
