benefit

Guests will treat themselves to dozens of dishes prepared by some of the western suburbs’ most celebrated chefs at the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Guild’s Chef Fest 2010. The annual culinary event takes place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 25, at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

Currently, 30 chefs from local restaurants, bakeries and caterers will generously provide the food for the annual fundraiser, which will benefit Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare projects and programs.

“We are thrilled to celebrate our 10th year with such wonderful support from these chefs,” says Byron Spencer, co-chairman of the Chef Fest. “Thanks to them, this event grows larger every year.”

You can have fun and raise money to help the homeless at a variety of weekend events announced by West Suburban PADS. They include the Empty Bowls Community Dinner, Chi-Town Jazz Festival and a family presentation by Bellissima Opera.

It’s prom night for any age next month thanks to BEDS Plus of La Grange, which helps the homeless.

The organization's prom fundraiser takes place Saturday, April 24, at Village Club of Western Springs, 4221 Lawn Ave., Western Springs, where festivities run from 8 p.m. to midnight. Admission costs $40, and a cash bar will be available. Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.bedsonline.org.

Guests are invited to wear their finest retro dancing clothes, favorite little black dress or vintage prom attire from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s or ‘90s. You could be crowned King or Queen.

Among the highlights is a raffle whose prizes include VIP Notre Dame football tickets, a luxury weekend getaway, restaurant gift cards and much more. Guests receive an exclusive Prom Coupon Book loaded with special offers at local restaurants, salons, florists and retailers.

Breast cancer is something near and dear to Danielle LaVeau's heart, having had an aunt who was fighting the cancer.

The event planner for Francesca's Restaurants developed a plan to begin a wine dinner benefiting Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure, while still commemorating the memory of her aunt.

The Third Annual Breast Cancer Wine Dinner will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, at Francesca's Passaggio, 3124 S. State Route 59, Naperville.

 Forever in Our Hearts invites guests to a cocktail reception benefit for The Children’s Heart Foundation, an Illinois-based organization that describes its mission as funding the most promising research to advance diagnosis, treatment and prevention of congenital heart defects. The fundraiser will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at Nicksons Eatery, 30 S. La Grange Road, La Grange.

 The $20 donation payable at the door includes two hours of complimentary wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres. A cash bar opens at 11:30 p.m. Space is limited, and reservations may be e-mailed to: fioh-gala@ameritech.net.

 More information on the group is offered at www.foreverinourheartsgala.org. If you’d like more details on the Nicksons Eatery venue, call the restaurant at (708) 354-4995 or visit www.nicksoneatery.com.

More than 10 acts will be part of the “Hope for Haiti” benefit concert from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, in the Batavia High School cafetorium. The master of ceremonies is Johnny Schueneman, and among the performers will be LightSpeak, as well as Brittnee Barstatis, Erik Shewalter and Conchord. 

Fifty extraordinary men will demonstrate their culinary skills at “50 Men Who Cook,” a benefit for Suicide Prevention Services in Batavia.

Tickets are available for Rising Star Theatreworks’ second fundraising gala from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Riverview Banquets in Batavia.

The event will feature silent and live auctions, dinner, and entertainment by Elizabeth Krahulec and Bethlehem Brass. In addition, guests will be the first to hear about RST's 2010-11 productions.

Auction items will feature getaways to Door County, Wis., and Longboat Key, Fla., as well as closer-to-home venues such as Key Lime Cove in Gurnee, Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, and Herrington Inn of Geneva.