Client: Reese Erlain Foundation

Event: The First Annual Rally for Reese, February 7, 2009

Event Summary:

The services of McGowan Durpetti & Associates were requested by a newly formed non-profit organization, the Reese Erlain Foundation, to coordinate their first fundraising event. The Reese Erlain Foundation is dedicated to providing financial and emotional support and assistance to the Erlain family, whose infant daughter, Reese, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)—a blood cancer rarely found in infants. The MD&A team produced The First Annual Rally for Reese fundraising event in February of 2009 in the Carpenters’ Union Ballroom. The event was a huge success, featuring cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction. Celebrity emcees Paula Farris of NBC 5 Chicago and Dougie Stylz from Chicago’s WBBM-FM “B96” hosted the evening, attracting over 250 attendees. Not only did MD&A help the Reese Erlain Foundation reach its goal of generating awareness by exceeding the expected attendance, it also far surpassed the financial goal, with over half of the funds raised due to sponsorship secured by MD&A. The event’s success ensures that the non-profit can achieve its mission of assisting the Erlain family, with potential to support other families facing the same challenges of battling this disease in the future.

Services:

McGowan Durpetti & Associates provided event production, event marketing, and sponsorship fulfillment for The First Annual Rally for Reese. The team utilized their excellent working relationships with media, sponsors and vendors to secure contracts at an exceptionally low cost and draw in community and financial support, while also coordinating event advance logistics and on-site production to make for a great program.