Updated 3/16/2020:

Announcement: New Date for Dancing With Our Local Stars Gala

Given the COVID 19 pandemic, for the health and safety of all guests, we are postponing our annual fundraiser and gala: Angelica: Dancing With Our Local Stars. While this decision was promptly made by our Board of Directors, this public notification was delayed a bit, so that we could personally reach out to the wonderful individuals and businesses who are an integral part of the event planning process. After careful consideration and in consultation with Bobak’s Signature Events, Angelica has been rescheduled to, Friday, July 31, 2020, and will take place at the same wonderful Bobak's venue.

All tickets that have already been purchased will be valid for the new date.  The deadline for ticket purchases and sponsorship has been extended to July 1, 2020. Tickets may be purchased via our website: www.gacsprograms.org/ angelica.

We appreciate all of your support and patience and look forward to a wonderful event, just a few months later. We hope everyone is staying safe during these challenging times. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns at:

Jane Ukleja, jukleja@ gacsprograms.org

Valerie Pastwa, vpastwa@ gacsprograms.org

Original Event Information:

Guardian Angel Community Services (GACS) is proud to announce our 14th Annual Gala & Fundraiser:  Angelica: Dancing With Our Local Stars, to be held on Saturday, April 4th, 2020 at Bobak’s Signature Events - Woodridge, IL.  GACS is proud to be the oldest non-profit in Will County, and with your continued support, we celebrate more than 122 years of service to the Chicagoland area this year.  Last year alone, our programs reached more than 100,962 adults and children; 12,380 through direct service across our seven programs, and 88,582 through community outreach, prevention education, trainings and presentations. 

The unwavering support of donors like you has allowed our agency and programs to grow and expand every year, while fulfilling our mission to empower people to improve the quality of their lives. We hope that you will consider helping us continue to serve our community and to save lives in 2020 by making an in-kind donation to be used as a raffle or silent auction item at our annual charity fundraiser.

Your contribution goes a long way in supporting GACS’ 7 unique programs that offer an array of services to those in the most dire and catastrophic of circumstances, right here in our community:

• GROUNDWORK: Comprehensive services for individuals impacted by domestic violence

• SUZY’S CARING PLACE: Transitional housing & support services for survivors of domestic violence

• SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICE CENTER: Sexual assault, rape crisis services and prevention education

• ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES: Helping to protect adults with disabilities and the elderly in need

• FOSTER CARE: Nurturing and safe homes for children & licensing for foster parents

• EXCHANGE CLUB CENTER: Parenting classes for the prevention of child abuse and neglect

• PARTNER ABUSE INTERVENTION PROGRAM: Support & education to foster healthy relationships

“Angelica: Dancing With Our Local Stars”, features eight prominent local residents who prepare a dance routine with a professional to perform at the event.  This exciting event includes dinner, a dancing competition, raffle/silent auction, an award ceremony recognizing our top supporters and more.  The event welcomed nearly 600 in attendance last year, and allows for increased exposure to our donors and supporters.

Thank you for considering our charitable donation request. Please contact Valerie Pastwa (Senior Development Specialist) with any questions at 815-729-0930 x 1233 or vpastwa@gacsprograms.org.  For more information and to stay connected, please visit us on the web at www.gacsprograms.org.