On Saturday, March 5, over 225 members and supporters of the Chicago Young Leaders kicked off the St. Patrick’s Day season in style at the sold out Sixth Annual Green Gala held at Willis Tower.
Meghan Lee and Laura McNellis, Co-Chairs of the Green Gala, transformed the whole evening into a party in the sky. Welcome cocktails and hor’s d’oeuvres were held on the 99th Floor of Willis Tower then the Young Leaders traveled up to the Skydeck on the 103rd floor for gourmet small plates, interactive photo booth and dancing.
The Skydeck and its 4 Ledges revolutionize how visitors experience Chicago. At 1,353 feet up, The Ledge’s glass boxes extend out 4.3 feet from the skyscraper’s Skydeck, providing never-before-seen views of the city. Several ledges served as VIP Suites, which included private lounge seating, dedicated servers and champagne.
The view was so inspiring that Chicago Young Leader Sean Field took the opportunity to ask his girlfriend Kim Vermillion to marry him while kneeling down on one knee on the glass ledge. A proposal of marriage at a Young Leaders’ event is a first for Chicago.
Auction Co-Chairs Katie Nallon and Kat Woodruff presented terrific live and silent auction items for the evening. National Director of The Young Leaders, Pat Tully, not only served as emcee for the evening, but also as the auctioneer encouraging spirited bidding from the group.
The partygoers continued on to The Gage, overlooking Millennium Park.
The Young Leaders not only had a wonderful evening but raised funds for worthy causes across the island of Ireland. The event was one of many held by The Ireland Funds across the globe celebrating the St. Patrick’s Day season in support of the mission and work of The Ireland Funds.
The American Ireland Fund Chicago Young Leaders would like to thank their sponsors for making this evening possible.
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