SCH Gala raises $930,000 for the Family Birthing Center

It was the greatest show on Earth! On Saturday, October 27th, over 900 Swedish Covenant Hospital supporters, including hospital physicians and community leaders, came together at the Aon Grand Ballroom of Navy Pier to celebrate the 63nd Annual Benefit Gala, Le Cirque. The circus-themed event (complete with jugglers and acrobats) raised $930,000 for the Family Birthing Center and its programs.  Lourdes Duarte, co-anchor of the WGN Evening News, emceed the evening’s program, and Drs. Angel Rivera and Emily Rubenstein chaired the event.“Hosting the gala was a great honor for Angel and me.  The night exceeded our expectations, both in fundraising and as a party. We were so pleased that the gala raised over our goal and that the Family Birthing Center will get the support the community needs,” Dr. Rubenstein said.Proceeds from the event will enhance and update the physical appearance of the labor and delivery rooms and provide resources for new parents. Families will now have greater access to classes on child birth, breastfeeding and infant CPR, counseling and mental health services, safe sleep initiatives such as wearable blankets and co-sleepers, prenatal group sessions with other expectant mothers, and an outpatient lactation clinicA highlight of the evening was honoring Mr. Charles (Chuck) Adair with the 2018 Spirit of Compassion Award.  This award recognizes an outstanding individual who has given selflessly of themselves with compassion to make a recognized impact on their community and others beyond the walls of Swedish Covenant Hospital.  Chuck has provided over 25 years of service and leadership to Swedish Covenant Hospital; as a member of the SCH Board of Directors since 1991 and a member of the Foundation Board since 2011. Chuck has also given of his time and management expertise for over 30 years to the Evangelical Covenant Church and Covenant Ministries of Benevolence.  In every role, for every audience, Chuck has led by example with grace, compassion, integrity and humility.  Congratulations Chuck Adair!The Le Cirque Gala could not have happened without the generosity of our donors.  Special thanks to our Elite Sponsors, Swedish Covenant Hospital Medical Staff, Covenant Ministries of Benevolence, Medical Express Ambulance Service, Inc., The Adair Family, Continental Electrical Construction Company, Fifth Third Bank, North Park University, PNC, and Wintrust Chicago for their partnership.Also, thank you to all of our supporters – Chairs, Drs. Angel Rivera and Emily Rubenstein, Co-Chairs, Drs. Frederman Concepcion and Rosibell Arcia-Diaz, and the gala committee, gala sponsors, guests, and volunteers – for making the Le Cirque a success.View photos from the 2018 Gala.To learn more about our next Gala set for October 26, 2019 at the Chicago Hilton, contact the Foundation at foundation@swedishcovenant.org or 773.293.5121.