Auto Show Fundraiser Aims Big for Charity
How often can a party with an expected guest list of 10,000 people bill itself as an exclusive event? With a 1 million square foot dance floor, First Look for Charity can! Now in its 24th year, First Look for Charity has raised nearly $40 million for Chicago area nonprofits, and fundraiser officials hope to add $2.5 million to the tally on Feb. 13.
Benefactors in attendance have the chance to win a 2015 Ford Explorer and a 2015 Fusion, both compliments of Ford Motor Co. & the Chicagoland Ford Dealers Association, and all guests will enjoy various special entertainment across the show floor including the Chicago Six and American Idol finalist Haley Reinhart.
Of each $250 ticket, $199 is tax-deductible as a charitable expense, and ticket buyers are empowered to direct the proceeds of their purchase to any or all of the participating charities.
Passed hors d’oeuvres to greet guests at the show entrances include Ahi Tuna Tacos, Seared Beef Carpaccio, and Cinnamon Spiced Poached Pear. Once inside, the array of tastes includes Crab Rangoon, Pickled Scallions, Fresh Spring Rolls, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Slow Braised Lamb, Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Cake, Shrimp and Mussel Cioppino, Wild Mushroom Arrancini, Prosciutto Di Parma, Garam Masala Spiced Lobster, Tandoori Chicken, and more.
A look at some of the numbers to satisfy the crowd:
-
400 banquet staff and 140 chefs will work the floor for First Look for Charity
-
160 volunteers will prepare and serve 61,000 morsels of food from 22 different local restaurants and caterers
-
In total, guests will enjoy more than 121,000 food samples served by 1,100 local hospitality experts
-
55 beverage stations, with more than 115 beverage lines, will be serving champagne, local craft and domestic beer, four varietals of wine, assorted Coca-Cola products, coffee and espresso drinks, and 8 flavors of hot tea
-
1,462 gallons of beer (650 cases)
-
515 gallons of wine (220 cases)
-
188 gallons of champagne (80 cases)
-
There will be 40 food stations serving 75 different menu items
Menu items will be clearly marked as vegetarian, gluten free and peanut free
Show-goers at the black-tie event also have the chance to win prizes throughout the evening by tagging their social media event photos with #FLFC15.
Back to News