Better Makers: Vanessa Williams Performs at 9th Annual UNICEF Hope Gala

On Saturday April 9th at The Geraghty Chicago, UNICEF hosted their 9th annual UNICEF Hope Gala. The event was able to raise over $1 million to support the organization’s programming which, as their mission states, puts children first. The theme of the evening was “Imagine,” a call to action seeking that their guests imagine a world where no child dies of a preventable cause. Chaired by Mark Mitsukawa of Barneys New York and Kim K.W. Rucker, the event hosted a performance by Vanessa Williams who sang “Colors of the Wind” from Disney’s “Pocahontas,” “Love Is,” as Stephen Sondheim mashup and “Save the Best for Last,” one of her own hits.

Managing Director of the Midwest Region of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF Casey Marsh spoke of the evening and said that, “It is always amazing to have so many dedicated champions for children in one room, celebrating the incredible impact that UNICEF makes around the world — but this year’s Hope Gala and its ‘Imagine’ theme is especially inspiring.”

Along with dinner and dancing, a live auction led by Vinnie Zaffarano also entertained guests. The auction included items like a luxury four night trip for two to Paris Fashion Week, a Park City Escape to the St. Regis Deer Valley and two badges to the 2017 or 2018 Masters Gold Tournament.

Midwest Regional Board Chair and National Board member for U.S. Fund for UNICEF Rob Brown, Sr. VP of Development U.S. Fund for UNICEF Barron Segar of New York City, National Board Chair U.S. Fund for UNICEF Vince Hemmer of Glencoe, Vanessa Williams and Midwest Region Managing Director U.S. Fund for UNICEF Casey Marsh of Chicago

Committee Member Midwest Board Member Former Board Chair Joe Silich and Committee Member Susie Silich both of Chicago

UNICEF's Hope Gala Co-Chair Kim K.W. Rucker of Oak Brook and UNICEFs Hope Gala Co-Chair Mark Mitsukawa of Chicago — UNICEF’s Hope Gala Co-Chair Kim K.W. Rucker of Oak Brook and UNICEFs Hope Gala Co-Chair Mark Mitsukawa of Chicago

Hope Gala After Party Co-Chair, UNICEF's Next Generation Chicago Steering Committee Iliana Alvarenga of Chicago, Hope Gala After Party Co-Chair, UNICEFs Next Generation Steering Committee Kyle Turner of Chicago, and UNICEF's Next Generation Chicago Chair Erin Delawalla — Hope Gala After Party Co-Chair, UNICEF’s Next Generation Chicago Steering Committee Iliana Alvarenga of Chicago, Hope Gala After Party Co-Chair, UNICEFs Next Generation Steering Committee Kyle Turner of Chicago, and UNICEF’s Next Generation Chicago Chair Erin Delawalla

*Make It Better is a proud sponsor of the UNICEF Hope Gala*