More than 700 people ‘Say Yes’ to recovery at annual Rosecrance Foundation Benefit

Rosecrance celebrated recovery with a country-casual theme Monday evening, highlighted by music and stories of hope, at the 2017 Rosecrance Foundation Benefit.

Kristian Bush of Sugarland performed to a crowd of more than 700 guests at the event, held Monday, April 24, at Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center. The annual benefit raises money for Rosecrance programs and charity care to serve people who need financial assistance for treatment of substance use and mental health disorders.

The benefit also included presentation of The Castle Award, Rosecrance’s pinnacle honor, to the Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church. Rosecrance Health Network President/CEO Philip W. Eaton recognized the Conference for its longtime support of Rosecrance.

The historical relationship between Rosecrance and the Methodist Church dates back to founders Dr. James and Fanny Rosecrance, who were members of their local Methodist Church in New Milford. The Rosecrances left provisions in their will for the founding of the Rosecrance Memorial Home for Children. The recent capstone of this faithful commitment came when Bishop Sally Dyck, who accepted The Castle Award Monday evening on behalf of the Conference, dedicated her annual Bishop’s Appeal to the Launch to Life campaign for Rosecrance Lakeview, which opened in July in Chicago.

“The church’s involvement and leadership, particularly in the first decades of our existence, was absolutely critical to the mission of the organization, and to our stability and continued existence,” Eaton said. “The impact of the Methodist Church on our ability to serve the families in our community is immense. We are blessed by the historic and continued support of the United Methodist Church.”

The annual benefit is Rosecrance’s key fundraiser. The theme of the evening was “‘Say Yes’ to Supporting Recovery,” a reference to one of Bush’s popular songs. Attendees enjoyed a welcome video from young clients at the Rosecrance Berry Campus and success stories of Rosecrance alumni highlighted in a video titled, “Reaching New Heights.”

Proceeds from the event benefit Rosecrance programs and The Kinley Charity Care Fund, which has provided nearly $8 million to help families since the fund was established in 1984. Last year, The Rosecrance Foundation provided funds that helped 475 families with the cost of treatment and supported programs across the agency.

“Each year, I am grateful and a bit overwhelmed as I look out at this room full of so many friends who have generously said ‘yes’ to supporting recovery in support of the mission of Rosecrance,” said Lisa Lindman, chair of the Rosecrance Foundation Board of Directors. “We are grateful to each of you. You make it possible for us to offer help, hope and the best opportunity for lasting recovery to children, teens, adults and families who so desperately need the substance abuse and mental health services we provide.”