Annual Mayoral Ball raises funds for WINGS

Amid the glamour of stylish ball gowns and black-tie splendor, a fine dinner and dancing, guests acknowledged the 88th birthday of the mayor's mother.

Although Margaret Nicholson McLeod planned to celebrate with her son, Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod, and daughter-in-law Joane McLeod, a nasty fall precluded her attendance at the Oct. 19 mayoral ball. More than 300 guests enjoyed dinner and dancing in the Stonegate Conference and Banquet Centre.

The mayor was disappointed, as he planned to surprise his mom with a cake and have the guests serenade her with "Happy Birthday." Instead, Stonegate owner George Moser provided the pink decorated birthday cake patted with coconut, and McLeod took it to his mother at Alden Poplar Creek, where she resides after her hip injury.

"Attendants served the cake to all the residents in the senior facility," McLeod said. "Mom definitely was surprised when her favorite cake arrived, and said it was delicious. She welcomed the surprise, and was happy to share it with her friends."

Before addressing his guests at the ball, the color guard of Boy Scout Troop 399 posted colors and McLeod, with a smile of remembrance, introduced his brother John and sister-in-law Marlene.

"John taught me to walk precincts," McLeod said as he recalled snippets of those outings.

The mayor gave tribute to volunteers Kathy Faunt and Nancy Desruisseaux, presenting red roses to each of them for their help in producing the ball. The event was held so supporters might honor McLeod's service to the village and raise funds for his coffer.

State Rep. Fred Crespo, a former Hoffman Estates trustee and a man the McLeods refer to as "just like a brother to both of us," was the keynote speaker.

The mayoral couple said they took "some heat" from their Republican friends because of the featured speaker's affiliation as a Democrat. Joane McLeod explained to the guests why she was called upon to introduce Crespo.

"Even though Bill and I are both Republicans, I come from generations of Kennedy Democrats," Joane McLeod said. "At home I kept my mouth shut about politics whenever I was around my Mom, who was a die-hard Democrat and told all seven of her children she didn't like Republicans. Twenty years ago when I took Bill to meet my mother, a tall, thin, muscular farm wife, I knew I would have to bite the bullet and let her know he is a Republican. She gasped, sighed, looked him over, turned to me and said, 'Well, at least he's not a lawyer.' "

The first lady said she figures that if her mother "can put up with" having a Republican son-in-law then "our Republican friends can just learn to accept Fred as an honored speaker at the mayoral ball."

While guests -- on behalf of raising money for Women in Need Growing Stronger --bid on everything from autographed photos of sports figures and hotel stays to a dinner for eight with the mayor serving as waiter, Rebecca Darr, executive director of WINGS, said the organization's goal is to end domestic violence and homelessness "one family at a time."

Privately, during a poignant moment, Joane McLeod revealed why support goes to WINGS.

"The reason we work with WINGS is because my baby sister, Julie," was in a violently abusive relationship for many years, McLeod said. "I was unable to help her when she needed it because she lived in an area that had no safe home. Bill and I, however, made a commitment to help other people's baby sisters, if we can."

Progress has been made in that direction, as the auction had a profit of $20,000, surpassing last year's effort by $10,000.

Rotary Club pledges for children's hospital:ŒIn a moment of joy and hope for the future on Oct. 26, members of the Rotary Club of Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates applauded their decision to pledge $250,000 to the St. Alexis Children's Hospital, to be built on the campus of St. Alexis Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. Attendees also witnessed the signing of the agreement.

Melanie Furlan, vice president of advancement for Alexian Brothers Health System Foundation, thanked those assembled and said the club was chosen by the foundation to be the civic chair for its "Center of Caring: A Future of Excellence Campaign." The Rotarians' pledge will cover a five-year period.

With enthusiasm, the club already began the initiative by announcing the sale of tickets for a March 8 dinner dance in the Schaumburg Marriott.

Members also will make use of vouchers that allow 20 percent of their purchases at Steak 'n Shake in Hoffman Estates to go back to the club for the fundraiser.