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The Chi-Lites to Perform
at Lightbearer Benefit for
the Open Book Program on Thursday May 12, 2005
Hear authentic "Windy
City" sound when the Chi-Lites perform at the Lightbearer
(formerly Illuminati) benefit for the Institute for Positive
Living’s Open Book Program on Thursday, May 12, 2005,
6 p.m. - 10 p.m., in the Narcissus Room at Marshall Field's
State Street Store, 111 N. State in Chicago.
This year's Lightbearer
awards honoring the light bearers of the Open Book Program
are: Wynona Redmond, Pubic Relations Manager for Dominick's
Finer Foods, State Senator Mattie Hunter, Lee Brown, former
Area Instructional Officer for the Chicago Public School System
and Tommy Ford, children's book author and actor (Martin Lawrence
Show). “The Institute for Positive Living's Open Book
Program is proud to honor these four outstanding individuals
and organizations who share the belief that children should
be encouraged to enjoy the art of reading," states Institute
for Positive Living President Marrice Coverson. "Our
honorees and their respective organizations are among those
who support the Open Book Program's efforts to encourage the
development of reading, writing, and critical thinking skills."
The Lightbearer benefitfor 2005 will start with a cocktail
reception at 6 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by the awards ceremony,
buffet dinner, entertainment, silent auction, and dancing.
Tickets are $100 ($900 for a table of ten). Make checks payable
to The Institute for Positive Living.
The Open Book program,
in keeping with our commitment to children’s literacy,
invites artists and authors’ participation in the evening,
through advertisement in our souvenir booklet, or procurement
of vendor space. The highlight of the evening is the Lightbearer
Silent Auction, which might include gifts such as travel packages,
book baskets, fine art and antiques. Entertainment at this
year’s Lightbearer benefit is the Chi-Lites, well-known
purveyors of the "Windy City" sound, a world-famous
meld of crisp falsetto lead vocals enveloped by three part
harmonies. Performances will also be presented by Open Book
participants.
The Open Book Program is a multi-faceted after-school program
for young adolescents. The Program engages youth in activities
that encourage development of their reading, writing and critical
thinking skills. Open Book is currently funded in six Chicago
public schools: Grand Boulevard area: Beethoven Elementary,
Mayo Elementary and Williams Multiplex; Englewood area: Ogelsby
Elementary; Roseland Area: White Career Academy and Kohn School.
The Open Book program’s annual Lightbeearer benefit celebrates
the joy of reading by honoring individuals and organizations
committed to children’s literacy, and the Open Book Program.
The Lightbearer benefit, held for the last five years at Marshall
Fields’- State Street, is a relaxed evening of entertainment,
food and friends. The evening includes a brief program acknowledging
honorees, program supporters, and sponsors whose contributions
help make the evening a success. Lightbearer sponsors include
Marshall Fields’- State Street, R.R. Donnelley and the
Tribune Corporation.
Co-Chairmen of the 2005
Lightbearer benefit are Dr. Clarence Nixon, Jr., President
and CEO, Chicago Defender and Mr. Frank Mr. Clark, Jr., President,
Commonwealth Edison. This year's Lightbearer Honorary Chairpersons
are Mr. John Clark, Reggio's Pizza, Mr. Les Coney, Aon Corporation,
Mr. Elzie Higginbottom, East Lake Management, the Honorable
Iris Martinez, Illinois State Senator, Mr. Bob Nash, ShoreBank,
and Ms. Ilene Porter, McDonald's.
Past Lightbearer (formerly Illuminati) honorees have included:Alderman
Shirley E. Coleman, 16th Ward, Former Senate Minority Leader,
Emil Jones; David Whittaker, Executive Director, Chicago Area
Project; Frank Gihan, Director of Community Relations, Chicago
Tribune Charities,. the Church of The Spirit, Daryl Handy,
former Director of External Affairs, Ameritech; Elzie Higginbottom,
CEO/President, East Lake Management; Ralph Hughes, Regional
Director, Marshall Fields State Street; John Clark, President/CEO,
Reggio’s Pizza; Wallace E. Goode, City of Chicago’s
Empowerment Zone; Susan Levy, R.R. Donnelley and Sons; Doug
Mabie, Springboard Foundation; Darryl Newell, President, 100
Black Men of Chicago; Hosea Sanders, ABC-7 Chicago; Jan Spivey
Gilchrist, Author and Illustrator; Phillip Nyden, Professor
of Sociology and Director of Urban Research and Learning,
Loyola University Chicago, Joe Moore, Manager, Community Relations,
Shell Oil, Frederick McNeal Jr., Principal of Mayo Elementary
School, and Merri Dee, Director of Community Relations, WGN-TV
We are grateful to the many people who continue to make the
Lightbearer benefit a memorable evening. As our attendance
continues to grow, we thank our friends and supporters, as
well as the local media who help us tell our story. Mostly,
we thank the youth who participate in the Open Book program,
celebrating reading and children’s literacy every day.
For more information, please call 773-924-9802.
Stay tuned for More details.
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