Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Winner,
Ella Jenkins Free Benefit Concert
On Saturday, May 9, 2009, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Ella Jenkins, dubbed “The First Lady of the Children’s Folk Song”, performed a children’s concert at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, IL. The Saving tiny Hearts Society hosted the free event on May 9, 2009 in effort to continue their mission of raising money for grossly under-funded, crucial, life-saving research of congenital heart defects (CHD), America’s #1 birth defect.

Osio-Brown Studio Art Exhibit
On December 5 and 6th, Osio-Brown Studios hosted an art gallery night introducing Penelope Osio-Brown’s newest body of work, “Spheres: An Abstract Art Exhibition”. Ten percent of the proceeds from the show were donated to the Saving tiny Hearts Society. Renowned Artist Penelope Osio-Brown's incredible work can be seen at: Osio-Brown Studios, 549 Spring Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126, (630) 461-4525, www.osiobrown.com.


Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival
On November 22nd, over 3000 friends and fans joined the Saving tiny Hearts Society in an unprecedented celebration of caring and culture. Hosted by the legendary Congress Theatre (www.congresschicago.com) the inaugural Chicago Bluegrass & Blues festival showcased a bevy of homegrown talent alongside some of the most accomplished and influential artists across a comprehensive sampling of roots music genres.

After 12 hours, 18 bands, and over 45 artists, vendors, and causes, the STHS brought home over $2500, and that’s only the beginning. Organizers have teamed up with leading local sound engineers and filmmakers to produce both a live album and concert documentary. Artists and organizations are continuing to lend their time and support to the battle against America’s #1 birth defect. Both the 18-song album and 90-minute “rockumentary” will be released early in 2009 and be available wherever you buy your music and movies online. All proceeds will be directly donated to funding research of Congenital Heart Defects (CHD).

We would especially like to thank the following individuals and organizations who made this evening possible:

Mike Raspatello - Rivalfish Co-Creator/Producer

King Tello Presents

The Congress TheaterLucas King

Max Wagner

Fanfound

Mike Mulcahy of Majors Junction

Brian and Tracy Mazzei

and the hundreds of other that pitched in countless ways


Frolic Poker Run

The Frolic Poker Run was held on September 6, 2008 at the Frolic Tavern and Grill in Waukegan, IL. The owners Jim and Debbie Sivia, with the help of Nancy, and Dave & Jan Oglesby (Alex Morgan’s proud grandparents) put on a fundraiser to help raise money and spread the word that children with congenital heart defects are living longer more now than ever due to the advances made in research. The Frolic put on a poker run during the day, where bikers drove to 5 different bars (in 2 states!), picked up 1 playing card from each bar, and then when they all returned to The Frolic. Whomever had the best “poker hand” won the prize!

Later in the afternoon and into the evening, there was food, drinks, more raffles, and plenty of entertainment. Debbie Sivia was able to secure a sponsorship donation from her employer, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company, who generously donated $1,000! The Frolic Poker Run Event earned nearly $5,000 for the Saving tiny Hearts Society! A very heartfelt thank you to Jim and Debbie Sivia from the Frolic, Nancy from the Frolic, Dave & Jan Oglesby (Alex’s Grandparents) and especially to Kim Morgan, Alex’s proud mom, for hosting such a sensational event!


Third Annual Saving Tiny Hearts Gala

The Third Annual Saving tiny Hearts Gala was held on August 9, 2008 at the Ritz Carlton Chicago. The 275 guests in attendance helped to raise in excess of $70,000 for the evening. Dr. Ross Ungerleider and Dr. Elise Duffy were the recipients of the “tiny Heart Hero Award”. WGN Radio’s Kathy O’Malley from the “Kathy and Judy Show” was the event’s Emcee. Twenty year old Lauren Pais introduced the honorees as well as spoke at the gala. Lauren was born with hypoplastic right heart syndrome and underwent 3 open heart surgeries at Children's Memorial Hospital before her 3rd birthday. She is now a junior at Indiana University studying communications and fundraising.

Other highlights of the evening included a 450 item silent auction, a live auction including a trip to Disneyworld, a 4 night/5 day trip to the Nevis Four Seasons, a Michele Deco Diamond Ceramic Bracelet Watch, a Grammy Award Winner Ella Jenkins Private Concert and Mixed Media Original Portrait Painting by World Renowned Artist Peter Max. A smart Car was also raffled to during the evening.

The evening’s performers included the piano playing of Rosagitta Podrovsky during the cocktail hour and live jazz performed by the Rosa Colella Quartet during the dinner hour, North Shore Photography & Eisen Video Productions were there to capture the evening's celebrations. Yanni Design Studio assembled the gorgeous floral arrangements.

The events huge success was greatly attributed to the hard work of our wonderful volunteer team; Orly Telisman, Ellie Mogilner, Lisa & Phillis Hopkins, Nicole & Tim Marselle, Elizabeth Burgos, Nancy Garrity, Farrah Graff, Derrick Taylor, Kristin Lordahl, Kristi Scheidegger, Lisa Brancato, Lisa Saruwatari, Preeti Farooque, Karen Kathleen & Mike Higginson, Megan Bryce, Tina Krajewski, Meaghan Woelfel, Tegwen Conzemius, Laura Maye, Lisa Brancato, Lauren Pais, Kelly Mesi, Rachel Lazzara, Bridget Zocher & One Brick's Team. A very special thank you to event planner extraordinaire Ms. Sheila Crotty (& Derrik Taylor) from SAVVY CONSULTANTS who donated her expertise to help coordinate the evening.


2008 Benefit Concert

THANK YOU for supporting the first annual Saving tiny Hearts Benefit Concert this past April 18th at the Sundance Saloon in Waukegan IL. The event was a TREMENDOUS SUCCESS! The evening was highlighted by the music of The O’Brien Brothers and Majors Junction. There were door prizes and a raffle that consisted of a 37” Flat Screen LCD/HDTV, a Laptop Computer, an iPod, a HP Digital Camera and a Nintendo Wii. Thanks to all of you, who bought and/or sold raffle tickets, came to or sponsored the event, or volunteered the night of, we were able to raise just under $25,000! 100% of that money went directly to fund life-saving research for congenital heart defects!


Second Annual Saving tiny Hearts Gala

The Second Annual Saving tiny Hearts Gala was held on July 28, 2007 at the Millennium Knickerbocker Union Hotel Chicago, IL.  The 280 guests in attendance helped to boost the 2007 fundraising campaign which has netted more than $70,000.  Dr. Barbara Deal, Dr. Elfriede Pahl and Ms. Melanie Gevitz were the recipients of the “tiny Heart Hero Award”.  WGN Radio’s Kathy O’Malley from the “Kathy and Judy Show” was the event’s Emcee.  Other highlights of the evening included a 450 item silent auction, a live auction including a 50” Plasma TV Set. and a trip to Mexico.  The evenings performers included the harp playing of Ms. Courtney Lawhn during the cocktail hour, live jazz performed by the Rosa Colella Quartet, Comedy Performances by Los Angele’s Frank Nicotero from the syndicated game show Street Smarts.  Charizma, Inc  provided the music for the after-hours party which went well into the night.  Yanni Design Studio assembled the Floral Arrangements and LD Trading provided the flowers.  Aaron Michael Photography was the evening’s photographer and Eisen Video Productions provided the videography.


First Annual Saving tiny Hearts Gala

The First Annual Saving tiny Hearts Gala was held on August 12, 2006 at the Union League Club in Chicago, IL. The 270 guests in attendance helped to cap off the 2006 fundraising campaign which netted more than $52,000. Drs. Carl Backer, Constantine Mavroudis, Robert Stewart and David Wax were the recipients of the “tiny Heart Hero Award” and WGN Radio’s John Williams was the events Emcee. Other highlights of the evening included a 400 item silent auction, a live auction including a trip to Hawaii. The evenings performers included the piano playing of Ms. Rosagitta Podrovsky during the cocktail hour, live jazz performed by the Rosa Colella Quartet, Comedy Performances by Los Angele’s Ms. Shawn Pelofsky and Mr. Michael Burton (as seen on television’s King of Queens). Mr. Lou Loiben of Personalities, Inc. was the disc jockey for the after-hours party which went well into the night. Surroundings by Colin assembled the Floral Arrangements and LD Trading provided the flowers. Aaron Michael Photography was the evening’s photographer and Eisen Video Productions provided the videography. View the photos and videos of the event.

View and purchase photos from the gala!