Celebrating In Person Again At The HEAR 2022 Fall Fundraiser!
We were absolutely delighted to be able to celebrate the achievements of the HEAR Family of Scholars in person after a two-year hiatus. HEAR Staff and Board Directors welcomed almost 200 guests to Double Clutch Brewing in Evanston. The more casual format was popular with guests who had a wonderful evening connecting with each other, renewing friendships, meeting HEAR Scholars and dancing the night away. It was also a pleasure to welcome a number of HEAR Graduates who helped with the smooth running of the event and who chatted with supporters throughout the evening.
The event was a great success, and all funds raised will be directed to HEAR’s College Success Program and support the future HEAR Class of 2027 who will being their college journey this fall.
A big shout out to Cass Winery who provided an on-site wine tasting during the evening, and to Knightsbridge Wines and The Bottle Shop, Wilmette who supplied wine for our ever-popular wine pull.
Thank you to those who were able to join us for the evening, and for those who supported the Foundation from afar. We hope to see you again in 2023!
More photographs from the evening, are available by clicking on the link below.
MORE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE EVENT CAN BE FOUND HERE!
Check back for future HEAR Events in 2023.
Upcoming:
HEAR 2nd Annual Golf Outing – mark your calendars and join us on September 11th, 2023 at Conway Farms, Lake Forest, IL. More details to follow.
Dates TBC:
HEAR Annual Awards Ceremony
HEAR Summer Scholar Social
HEAR Annual Fall Fundraiser
Inaugural HEAR Golf Outing Was A Great Success!
In August 2022, HEAR hosted its first annual golf outing. The day was spear-headed by Board President, Joe Lamberti, and held at the beautiful Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, IL. The day was glorious, the sun shone and laughter could be heard throughout the course! The competition among foursomes and for the Beat the Pro competition was fierce but friendly. The day culminated with cocktails, an awards presentation and dinner on the patio.
We were delighted to welcome a number of HEAR Scholars at the event. They spent time helping at check-in, overseeing the Beat the Pro competition, and interacting with golfers, explaining to them what it meant to them to be a part of HEAR’s College Success Program.
A big thank you to all the organizations who sponsored the event, including: Evergreen Bank (Beverage Sponsor), Olson Rug & Flooring, Lapham-Hickey Steel, Classic Dealer Group Waukegan, CPS Recruiting, McNaughton Brothers Construction, Merrill Lynch, Lake Forest Bank & Trust, Connie Browne – Coldwell Banker Realty, and Gallagher.
An anonymous donor at the event drove donations higher and the day exceeded our fundraising expectations. Thank you to everyone who made the event such a success. 100% of all proceeds will be used to directly support the incoming HEAR Class of 2027 as part of HEAR’s College Success Program. We look forward to another successful event in 2023.
2022 HEAR Summer Scholar Seminar
In July, we held our in-person annual HEAR Summer Scholar Seminar at Pinstripes, Chicago. This event is always a great opportunity for our incoming class of scholars to get to know each other and connect in a less formal setting. They have the opportunity to discuss their impending journeys and share any concerns they may have before freshmen year.
This is always popular with our new scholars. Specifically targeted as a “College 101 – What To Know Before You Go” workshop, scholars learn vital information pertaining to starting college. Later in the day, upper class-men join the event and share their experiences and knowledge with the freshman class.
Mary Sue Smith, chair of our HEAR Enrichment Committee, once again put together a HEAR Care Package for each freshman to take to college. Contents included a mini first- aid kit, wipe-board and pen, USB stick, water bottle, post-it notes and snacks.
At the end of the workshop, scholars had the chance to further their friendships with other HEAR Scholars at a pizza and bowling party! Talking to peers who have an understanding of how our new scholars feel hopefully dispelled some of their concerns.




A Welcome Return To The HEAR Annual Awards Ceremony!
In May, after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID Pandemic, we were delighted to host an in-person annual awards ceremony, welcoming the HEAR Class of 2026 into the HEAR Family. The event was well attended with members from the HEAR Board of Directors, supporters, mentors, family members of the new class, along with current and graduated HEAR Scholars. It was a celebratory affair and we are grateful to our friends at Chicago Scholars, who generously let us use their offices to hold the event.
HEAR Board President, Joe Lamberti, welcomed guests and thanked our supporters for everything they do to help HEAR achieve its mission of making higher education accessible to all. Executive Director, Vera Pollina, introduced the students in our newest class of scholars, and recent HEAR Graduate, Taylor S., provided some words of wisdom to accompany students as they start on their college journeys.
We welcomed 21 new scholars into the HEAR Class of 2026 at the event. We also congratulated the 26 students graduating from the class of 2022. We are very proud of all the students in our College Success Program and look forward to continuing to update you of their progress, both at college and beyond.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 CORPORATE SPONSORS, SUPPORTERS & AUCTION DONORS
