The Masquerade Ball

By Jamie Fields, Director of Development

Kathy Beine and Steve Bushong – St. John de Brebeuf award recipients.

Camp Ondessonk celebrated its 2019 Masquerade Ball Gala on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at the Four Points by Sheraton in Fairview Heights, Illinois. This dinner and auction event is Camp Ondessonk’s biggest fundraiser and enables the organization to purchase program equipment, share cutting-edge programs, and provide tuition assistance that allows children of all income levels to enjoy the unique Camp Ondessonk experience.

The Gala created the perfect opportunity to celebrate with some of the people who have helped build and sustain Camp over the years and to make plans for our upcoming 60th summer of Camp. The evening began with a reception honoring Camp Ondessonk’s Builders and Founders. These individuals consistently support Camp, either with significant monetary donations or through many hours of dedicated volunteerism. The evening also included presentations from Emma Klues and Wade Xanders who spoke about the critical role Camp Ondessonk played in shaping their lives. Among the highlights of the evening, Steve Bushong and Kathy Beine received St. John de Brebeuf awards for their many years of service and generosity.

Every member of our Camp family is grateful for the generosity of our event sponsors and staff sponsors:

Many Camp Ondessonks Builders & Founders attended a pre-event
reception. They then helped welcome the remaining 250 guests into the gala

These thoughtful supporters include State Farm – Steve Klostermann, James & Carol Henrichs, CDS Office Technologies, The ROHO Group, Edward Jones Investments – James Kueper, State Farm – Dave Threlkeld, NACO Printing & Advertising, Carpenters Local 662, Sandberg, Phoenix, & Von Gontard, P.C., Westerfield Cottage, Claire Hatch, Thomas Young, Sr., Jackie Savage McKay, and Belinda Bauer. A special tip of the hat to our tables sponsors, committee members, event volunteers, and to every participant. You were each instrumental in making the evening memorable.

The Gala friend-raiser was an incredible success and garnered nearly $115,000 in gross revenue. The support generated that night will benefit Ondessonk campers for years to come. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this year’s Gala unforgettable! To view photos from the evening, please visit camp’s Facebook page.