Casa Central celebrated 70 Years of Service with a Disco Party Gala at Lacuna Lofts on Friday, October 18th, 2024! It was an enormously successful event thanks to our generous sponsors, attendees, supporters, volunteers and staff!
Casa Central was founded in 1954 – 70 years ago. So, we celebrated with the sounds and vibes of the ‘70s as our DJ spun classic Disco tracks, and we boogied late into the evening in the event space we called “Studio 1954.”
The recipient of our Pastora San Juan Cafferty Legacy Award for 2024 was Karen Freeman-Wilson, the President & CEO of the Chicago Urban League. Last year’s Pastora winner, Andrea Sáenz (President & CEO of the Chicago Community Trust) presented the award to Ms. Freeman-Wilson.
The 2024 Philanthropic Partner Award went to the Irving Harris Foundation. This award was accepted on behalf of the Foundation by Iveree Brown Donell.
The event featured open bars, a cocktail reception, dinner, disco and dancing, plus a full program — all in support of Casa Central’s essential community services.
Attendees dressed '70s Disco-Fabulous and really leaned into the theme of the evening!
Our Gala this year was made possible in part by generous donations from Amazon, BMO, ComEd, CVS, MHOA, The Chicago Community Trust, the Irving Harris Foundation, Peoples Gas, Combined Insurance, A Chubb Company, Old National Bank, SC Johnson, a Family Company, Wintrust, PepsiCo, Healthy Communities Foundation, Fifth Third, Start Early, EY, Chicago Urban League, iBuilders, ConnSTRUCT, ABC7 Chicago, Huntington and Barilla.
Thanks to everyone who attended, donated, supported, volunteered and worked so hard to make this event special.