Almost Home Kids ( AHK ) announces its 2014 Share the Care Ball Awardees for their Oct. 24 Chicago gala at The Drake:
Distinguished Donor: Karen Atwood, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
Volunteer Extraordinaire: Joseph T. Monahan, ESQ, Monahan Law Group, LLC
Share the Care Champion: Illinois State Rep. Greg Harris, 13th District
Each Awardee shares a common trait in that they have supported the group's mission in an outstanding and exceptional manner, and Almost Home Kids is extremely grateful for everything they have done for their children and families.
AHK friend and supporter Janet Davies ( ABC7 ) will host the Share the Care Ball for the third year in a row, the Ken Arlen Orchestra will provide music to dance to, and the honor role musicians from the Waubonsie Tri-M Quartet will provide classical music during cocktails; all of this in the Gold Coast Room and French Room at The historic Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago.
Magellan Corporation is the title sponsor for the event. "Magellan is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor for the 2014 Share the Care Ball," said Bob Arthur, president of Magellan Corporation. "Being able to support Almost Home Kids and their mission in this way is an important part of our commitment to the community and the health and well-being of children with complex medical needs."
Event sponsors also include Neuco, Corboy & Demetrio, The Design Center, United Airlines, Monahan Law, HYC, CS Magazine, MORE Cupcakes, Bucellatti, and BMO Harris. "We are very grateful to Magellan Corporation, and all our wonderful sponsors for supporting us in this way," said Deborah Grisko, Almost Home Kids president and executive director. "Our Chicago event is a lot of fun thanks to our attendees and their generosity, everyone involved makes a significant difference to Almost Home Kids."
To attend the Share the Care Ball, register online at http:www.almosthomekids.org or contact Liza at ( 630 ) 271-9155 ext. 130, elarsen@almosthomekids.org .
Of the Harris honor, Almost Home states: "Greg Harris made an immediate and significant difference to Almost Home Kids in his role as a member of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Chair of the Appropriations Human Services Committee. Thanks to his leadership the Rules under which AHK is governed, and therefore the reimbursement rates that are set for AHK under the Alternative Health Care Delivery Act, have been enacted and brought up to date. The change allows AHK to operate a sustainable business model that will allow expansion to be more feasible across the State and beyond. Understanding that Almost Home Kids saves the State of Illinois over $20Million in Medicaid expenses in addition to providing a much needed continuum of high quality medical care in the community for children with complex medical conditions in Illinois. Greg's commonsense approach and commitment as a leader in healthcare reform helps us continue with our unique mission and is committed to supporting our vision that every parent no matter what their economic status should have the appropriate support to care for their child in there home. Greg Harris was elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2006 and serves as State Representative for the 13th District which includes parts of Uptown, Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, North Center, West Ridge and Bowmanville. He is Chairman of the Appropriation—Human Services Committee, and serves on the Insurance ( Vice Chairman ), Tourism and Conventions ( Vice Chairman ), Environment and Restorative Justice Committees. He is a member of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules ( JCAR ), the Illinois Juvenile Justice Leadership Council and the joint Legislative Health Insurance Exchange Committee. He also serves on the Racial and Ethnic Impact Research Task Force and the Quality of Life Board. In 2013, he was the lead House sponsor of the bill that created marriage equality in Illinois."
Almost Home Kids is a short-term community health care facility for children with complex medical conditions, licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health under the Alternative Health Care Delivery Act. At Almost Home Kids, their mission is to provide transitional care in a home-like setting to children with complicated health needs, training for their families and respite care. AHK has two 12-bed locations: 7S721 Route 53, Naperville, and at 211 E. Grand Avenue, 6th Floor, Chicago. It is an affiliate of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.
