New York (HedgeCo.Net) – The Midwest financial community will unite at the 11th Annual Midwest “Open Your Heart to the Children” Benefit organized by Hedge Funds Care. A highlight of the Chicago social calendar, the Benefit brings together the hedge fund, proprietary trading, private equity, and venture capital communities to provide direct support for local Chicago charities that prevent and treat child abuse. Wesley Nissen of DLA Piper LLP (US) and Benji Wolken of Ernst & Young LLP are this year’s Chicago Committee of Hearts Co-Chairs. Steve Mendes of TJM Investments; Emily Deter of RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC; Greg Schweider of Big Rock LLC; and Camille Clemons of UMB Fund Services will head this year’s Benefit Committee.
The Kelly Lively Award will be presented to GEM Realty Capital. “The prevalence of child abuse is a terrible social ill, one without a natural advocate. The investment community is in a unique position to make a positive difference in the lives of thousands of children and families thanks to Hedge Funds Care’s multi-faceted approach to addressing child abuse. The Kelly Lively Award commemorates Kelly’s outstanding commitment to the mission of Hedge Funds Care, and GEM Realty Capital is honored to be recognized for this award. I am particularly proud of how much time the team members of GEM have contributed to Hedge Funds Care over the years. We hope that GEM’s commitment inspires others to support Hedge Funds Care’s efforts to prevent and treat victims of child abuse,” said Michael Elrad, Senior Managing Partner of GEM Realty Capital. Michael Elrad will be in attendance to accept this prestigious award. Top executives from other lead event sponsors including Citadel, Deloitte, DLA Piper, Ernst & Young, Grosvenor Capital Management, Mesirow Advanced Strategies, Sheffield Asset Management, Spot Trading and PWC are also slated to attend.
The Benefit will be held on May 22nd at 6:00 p.m. CST at Untitled (111 W. Kinzie Street, Chicago, IL 60654) an exciting new restaurant and live music venue in Chicago inspired by supper clubs of the prohibition era.. The event will feature cocktails, a raffle, live entertainment, and premium liquor tastings. An after party will also take place at the same location starting at 9:30 p.m. CST. A limited number of tickets and sponsorships are still available. For more information, please click here.
“In its most recent grant making year Hedge Funds Care supported service to over 46,000 people, including many in the Midwest,” said Dr. Kathryn Conroy, Executive Director and CEO of Hedge Funds Care. “By attending and sponsoring the Midwest benefit, the financial and business community can further empower the vital work of our local grantees in the areas of education, prevention, interventions, research, advocacy and training.”
“This special evening will bring together the Chicago financial community in support of a common charitable cause, which is to help prevent and treat child abuse,” said Committee co-chair Wesley Nissen. “I am very thankful for the industry’s strong commitment to helping us support local programs that truly make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children.” Committee co-chair Benji Wolken added “It is our responsibility not only to support this vital cause, but also to engage the next generation of financial professionals to get involved now and carry on this important work.”
This event is the primary fund raising effort for the Midwest HFC chapter which supports innovative and best-in-class charities that provide direct services to abused and neglected children. Current Midwest grantees include Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Casa Central Social Service, Chicago Child Care Society, Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, Children’s Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County, Children’s Home and Aid Society of Illinois, Community Counseling Centers of Chicago, The Family Defense Center, Family Service Agency of Waukesha County, Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, Imagination Theater, Juvenile Protection Association, La Rabida Children’s Hospital, North American Alliance of Child Helplines/BeCause Foundation, Teen Parent Connection, The Thresholds, Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center.
