It’s A Shoe Thing

Step out for a good cause themed around wine, women, and shoes—what could be better than that? After a successful first annual event last year, which raised $165,000, the second annual Wine, Women & Shoes—“Change Your Shoes, Change a Life”— will take place at the Drake Hotel in Oak Brook on September 28 starting at 6 p.m.

A wine and shoe pairing charity fundraiser, Wine Women & Shoes® events have helped nonprofit organizations across the country raise more than $50 million to date. The Hinsdale-based Scoreboard Charities began as a nonprofit organization to honor those that lost a battle with cancer, and to support cancer research and help children living with cancer.

Hinsdale resident and founder and president of Scoreboard Charities, Rick Heinz, has been a lifelong sports memorabilia collector. When his mother passed away from cancer 24 years ago, Heinz sought a way to combine his affinity for sports collecting with helping others overcome their battles with cancer. Scoreboard Charities provides a way for people to donate sports memorabilia to be sold, with proceeds benefiting nonprofit organizations.

“Our slogan at Scoreboard Charities has been Winning the Game Against Cancer, but it’s not a game we can afford to lose,” says Heinz. “There are way too many of our friends and family finding out they have cancer every day. We must find cures now, and every dollar truly makes a difference. We hope to sell 400 tickets this year to our second annual Wine Women & Shoes event.”

Funds raised from the upcoming Wine, Women & Shoes will support the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and Children’s Oncology Services, Inc.

“Rick is a dear family friend, and he asked me to be involved this year,” says Jamie Quinlan, event chair. “My family is also very involved with the Hanson Center in Burr Ridge, a DuPage County organization for people with disabilities, which is how Rick and I met.” Quinlan was born and raised in Hinsdale, and now resides here again with her husband and Mastiff dog name Gracie.

According to Quinlan, this year’s event will feature a much larger marketplace and new and interesting vintners. The evening begins appropriately with wine and shopping.

“This year’s marketplace has expanded significantly,” says Quinlan. “We’ll have more room at The Drake, with twice as much space, a whole new culinary experience, and a new feel and layout. It will be quite the marketplace for boutique shopping with a variety of vendors coming in selling jewelry, handbags, shoes, clothing, and millinery.” Local boutique retailers will include Sweet William, Kendra Scott, India Hicks, Jill Courtemanche Millinery, Mes Ames Casey Dress Boutique, Chanticaille, Neiman Marcas, Jennifer Klienman Art, Healing Heels, Lilly Pulitzer, and Delicious Shoes.

Another not-to-miss signature highlight of Wine, Women & Shoes events is the Shoe Guys™, charismatic and charming local men who greet and schmooze with guests throughout the night. Shoe Guys are volunteers from all walks of life: flirty firemen, affable architects and accountants, dashing dentists, feisty financiers and good old regular fathers, brothers and friends who want to contribute to the night’s success. They’ll present designer goodies on silver platters, sell raffle tickets, promote auction lots, and—most importantly—make every woman feel special.

Other highlights include a spirited Key to the Closet raffle with a $10,000 dream closet prize, live and silent auctions ranging from trips and golf outings to sports tickets and signed sports memorabilia.

Come for the shopping, Best in Shoe award, and the Shoe Guys pouring sparkling wine for VIPs—and stay for the good cause.

Tickets are $125 for general admission (which includes “Start Your Collection” coupons), and $200 for VIP tickets (which includes a luxe VIP Kendra Scott swag bag). For tickets, visit scoreboardcharities.com.