Their generosity rivals that of Santa Claus. And for St. Vincent de Paul Center, the “Merc" traders who will be honored at the agency’s 11th Annual Fleur de Lis Ball in February have been a Christmas blessing for more than 30 years.
The five were introduced to the Center by Mike Sturch, a fellow Chicago Mercantile Exchange trader who in 1970 felt moved to provide a Christmas gift for each child at the Center, food for their families, and a record player for each classroom.
The “Santa Mike” program has been going strong ever since, thanks to the generosity of Sturch and Fleur de Lis honorees Lee Casty, Howard and Annie Klapman, Terry and Donna McKay, Randy McKay, and Chuck and Barbara Reeder.
On Saturday, Feb. 26, St. Vincent de Paul Center will pay tribute to their benevolence and loyalty to an agency that has been caring for Chicago’s poor for 89 years.
More than 600 guests are expected to attend this black-tie dinner, to be held in the Chicago Hilton and Towers Grand Ball Room. In addition to enjoying a fine meal, they’ll have a chance to bid at impressive live and silent auctions and dance to the music of the City Lights Orchestra.
As the honorees began getting involved over 30 years ago, the Santa Mike program grew. Soon, they not only brought gifts for the children one December morning each year, but began an annual dinner party for over 100 at-risk seniors in the evening. The Santa Mike program has become a heartwarming tradition at St. Vincent de Paul Center —one that has touched the lives of generations of Chicago’s poor.
For information about St. Vincent de Paul Center or to inquire about the 11th Annual Fleur de Lis Ball, please contact Brian Shields at (312) 943-6776, ext. 2220. |
