The Spirit of Saint Nicholas Ball on Friday, December 6 was a celebration of generosity and the true spirit of Christmas, with over 700 guests and sponsors raising $3 million to support the thousands of people served daily by Catholic Charities.

“I have one of the best jobs in Chicago because I get to watch miracles happen every single day, and today is indeed a miraculous one,” said Catholic Charities President and CEO Sally Blount. Every dollar raised at the Ball will be used as direct aid to people served by Catholic Charities’ programs—immediate help for car repairs, diapers, help with rent and utilities, and similar needs.

Catholic Charities’ mission—and an integral part of the Catholic faith, said Blount—is to help anyone in need, regardless of their faith, gender, race, or ethnicity. As the largest private human services provider in the Midwest, last year Catholic Charities served over 374,000 people. Blount thanked all who help advance the mission, and especially recognized Co-Chairs Tim and Sue Sullivan, Vice Chairs Quinn and Debbie Stepan, Catholic Charities Board of Directors, Cardinal’s Council, and event sponsors for their leadership in extending compassion to “the thousands of amazing people we have the honor to accompany and serve.”

Supporting a cornerstone institution of Chicago

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, thanked guests and sponsors for “standing tall with the mission of Catholic Charities,” which has served as a cornerstone institution of Chicago and of the Catholic Church for over 100 years.

“You are a major force in our city and our state for doing good in society,” said Cardinal Cupich. “As I have said so often, you help make the Church visible. You help the Church put its best foot forward by the work that you’re doing. I thank the many sponsors, those that are named in the programs and so many of you in silent ways whose generosity will go to those most in need in our community.”

Philanthropic support for Catholic Charities and its programs is needed more than ever at a time when more than two million people throughout Cook and Lake counties struggle daily to make ends meet — and more than 740,000 live below the official poverty line. Proceeds from the Spirit of Saint Nicholas Ball help address immediate needs like food and shelter for people in crisis, and empower and support mothers, families, seniors, and veterans.

Programs address needs across Cook and Lake counties

“Being a veteran, I know the sacrifice given by our fellow citizens while serving,” said Spirit of Saint Nicholas Ball Co-Chair Tim Sullivan. “Yet some experience homelessness and other afflictions when they return home from service abroad. Catholic Charities provides residential housing and wraparound support for veterans in need at St. Leo’s on the south side.”

St. Leo’s Residence for Veterans is only one of dozens of programs that Catholic Charities provides to meet the needs of the most vulnerable members of Cook and Lake counties, Sullivan said, adding, “Every dollar raised this evening—100%—will go to those programs and clients in need of those services. Thank you for being here and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas with us.”

A video that premiered at the Spirit of Saint Nicholas Ball shared the stories of three individuals whose lives have changed thanks to support they received from Catholic Charities. Dan, a veteran, transitioned out of homelessness after moving into St. Leo’s. Dianne was able to stay in her apartment thanks to emergency assistance she received. Ashley graduated from a five-year Catholic Charities’ program that empowered her to achieve goals and build savings and self-sufficiency.

“When you see that you can actually get that type of help, it’s like magic,” Ashley said.

Gratitude for the generosity of guests and sponsors

After enjoying a cocktail reception in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Chicago, guests of the Spirit of Saint Nicholas Ball moved into the International Ballroom, where emcee Ana Belaval, Emmy-award winning journalist of WGN-TV, welcomed them. The Most Reverend Robert Casey, Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Chicago, offered an invocation, lifting up St. Nicholas as an example of generosity in love and charity for “feeding the hungry, bringing hope to the imprisoned, giving comfort to the lost.”

All Spirit of Saint Nicholas Ball speakers echoed their gratitude for the generosity of guests and sponsors, underscoring that the work of Catholic Charities would not be possible without them:

Premier Dinner Sponsor: Beth Moritz and Mark Filip / Kirkland & Ellis LLP; Steve and Christy King; Chip and Ellen Mulaney; Jim and Molly Perry; Tim and Sue Sullivan

Seraphim Sponsor: Wintrust / Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wehmer and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Murphy

Cherubim Sponsor: Anne M. and J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr. / Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.; PNC / Scott and Rhonda Swanson

Archangel Sponsor: Gerald and Jennifer Beeson; Patrick and Jenny Nicole Fisher; Northwestern Medicine; Tom and Cece Ricketts; Quinn and Debbie Stepan

Guardian Angel Sponsor: Ascension Illinois; Jerry and Judy Castellini; CIBC; Deloitte; JMJ Foundation; Sheila M. Mickus; Misericordia; Northern Trust; P&S Smith Family Charitable Fund; Richard and Megan Witzel

Angel Table: Ascension Illinois; Maryjeanne and Richard Burke; Cozen O’Connor Foundation; Robert and Mary DeCresce; Fort Dearborn Partners, Inc.; James and Margaret Herrmann; The Hickey Family Foundation; Mark and Darlene Hoppe; Mark and Mary Hoppe and Family; Scott and Marcy Johnson; Therese Krieger and Gordon Ziols; Peter and Dawn Lantero; Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

Sponsor Table: Sally Blount; Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella; Busey Bank; Dante Domenella and Ann Tenbrunsel; KPMG / David and Suzanne Augustyn; John and Allison Lausas; Lawrence P. Marshall Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc.; Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC; Maryville Academy; McGuireWoods LLP; Michael Monticello and Karin Ulstrup; Old National Bank; Chris and Kathy Perry; Tamra and Edward Polen Family Foundation; Scott & Kraus, LLC; Sean Sullivan and Susan Schierl Sullivan; The Tully Family

Support Catholic Charities’ programs by volunteering with us or making a gift today. View photos from the 2024 Spirit of Saint Nicholas Ball.