Tablescapes, the signature fundraiser of the Hinsdale Auxiliary of Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, will blossom again on March 10 with a floral motif. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR
While the weather outside may still be gray and gloomy, members of the Hinsdale Auxiliary of Infant Welfare Society of Chicago invite you to sip a cocktail and go shopping in a garden-themed Tablescapes event that is sure to inspire.
‘Bloom,” a theme that started with the image of a fancy tea in an English garden, will feature elaborate table settings of many descriptions with a focus on florals. From formal French to Zen, tropical, herb, and others, flowers are the stars of the tables the hard-working volunteers will assemble for the Sunday, March 10 event.
“We haven’t had a floral or garden theme before and that can be tricky to execute in early March but we think ‘Bloom’ will be a beautiful event and we’re super excited about how it is coming together, especially the tablescapes,” explains Catherine Ann Welch, one of three co-chairs of the event. “Our members are having fun with the themes and I think the end results will be fantastic.”
Considered the signature annual fundraiser for the organization, “Bloom” is being held at the Hilton Chicago Oakbrook Hills Resort in Oak Brook. More than 500 guests are expected at this annual event that raised $95,000 for the Angel Harvey Family Health Center last year alone, and more than $500,000 since its inception 20 years ago.
“The Hinsdale Chapter of the Auxiliary is one of 10 chapters with locations in the city and suburbs that have supported the Angel Harvey Family Health Center of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago,” adds Lisa Haines, another co-chair. “We are proud to have contributed to the overall combined donations close to $122 million, in today’s dollars.”
The work of Infant Welfare Society has improved the lives of children and families in need for more than a century. Since 1924, it has incorporated child development and behavioral health into its primary care model, and since 1970 it has provided pediatric dentistry services to low-income children. Orthodontic care was introduced in 1991 and pediatric optometry in 1995. In 2015, Infant Welfare launched the Child-Centered Health and Advanced Therapies (CHAT) program for children with special needs. Infants, children, mothers, fathers and grandparents all receive exemplary care at the center.
“The Hinsdale Auxiliary is a great group of women working for a very worthy organization,” says Haines. “This is the perfect way to kick off spring.”
Featuring lunch, boutique shopping, and a silent auction, the annual Tablescapes event takes about six months of planning.
“Tablescapes typically begins in May with the New Member Meeting. We welcome new members and recap the success we had at our most recent Tablescapes,” says Kimberly O’Gorman, another co-chair. “Everyone then signs up for a Tablescapes group and one of our five committees. The creations start coming to life around September with the venue and invitation design.”
From there, it’s an all-hands-on-deck effort with each member actively contributing time, ideas, and plenty of heavy lifting to bring each table to life. But for as much work as it is, in the end, it’s all a labor of love.
“Seeing the event come to fruition after months of planning is very exciting. Seeing all of the guests enjoying themselves is always rewarding,” says Welch. But presenting the check to the Infant Welfare Center a few weeks after the event is always the biggest reward.”
For more information about this year’s Tablescapes “Bloom” event, visit hinsdaleiws.com.
