Brighter Together: 28th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration Program Book

ighter
together
28TH ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION
DECEMBER 3, 2020 | 7:00 PM
P R O G R A M

How to Watch
ON A DESKTOP OR MOBILE DEVICE
Click here to watch the livestream, chat with other attendees,
make a donation, and more!
ON YOUR TV
Before December 3:
Visit the Tree Lighting website, which will redirect to the YouTube
page for the livestream.
Click the “Set reminder” button so you’re notified when the
livestream is about to start.

While you’re on the page, click the Subscribe button to keep up with
the latest videos from Mercy Home. Next, click the bell so you’re
notified every time a new video is posted!
Make sure you have the YouTube app set up on your TV.
Here are instructions:
On smart TVs
On Apple TV
Casting from your phone
On Amazon Fire
On Roku
If you have questions before the event, text TREEHELP to
474747 and we’re happy to assist 9:00 am–5:00 pm, Monday–
Friday.
On December 3:
Ready for the big event? Turn on your TV and access YouTube using
the instructions above.
Use the search feature and type in “Brighter Together: Mercy Home.”
The event should be at the top of the page. Click on the video and it
will start when we go live!
If you have any issues during the event, please text
TREEHELP to 474747.

Dear Friends,
God bless you for gathering with us to welcome this season of light,
and most of all, for supporting our life-saving mission to bring HOPE
to the young people and families entrusted to our care.
For 28 years, we’ve welcomed our friends to our Home to hear the
Christmas story and light our big tree. We’ve learned about the
ways that our young people have given back to the community over
the past year through their service projects. And we’ve witnessed
example after example of the power of your generosity in the lives
of our young men and women.
We recognize that this year’s gathering looks very different. But
what has made the Mercy Home family so resilient for 134 years
is that we always find a way to come together in support of our
young people and one another. And while we may not be together
in person this year, it’s sure to be a night filled with joy, celebration,
and inspiration.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I pray that you have a
wonderful evening and a very Merry Christmas.
Blessings,
Father Scott Donahue
What Your Support Means
Because you are with us tonight, more than 1,400 children and
members of their families will have access to help, healing, and hope.
Children who have experienced abuse, neglect, community violence, housing
instability, and significant family struggles will have a safe home in which to live
and grow. They will be cared for by dedicated professionals. And they will have
access to the therapy, education, life skills, mentoring, career development, and
life-changing opportunities they need to build brighter futures. None of it would be
possible without your friendship and support. Thank you!

Tonight’s Program
7:00 pm Opening Entertainment
Welcome
Jim Williams, Anchor/Reporter, CBS 2 Chicago;
Member, Mercy Home Board of Regents
Christmas Reflection
Rev. Scott Donahue, President & CEO,
Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
Corporate Partner of the Year
Anne Leyden, Executive Vice President,
Chief Human Resources Officer, TransUnion
“Bridge Over Troubled Water”
Performed by Tamar Greene
Introduction of Youth Speakers
Johanna Rahal, Executive Director, Bobby Rahal
Foundation; Chair, Mercy Home Board of Regents
Book of Service Presentation
Wayland and Celine
Shena’s Story
Pledge
Bill Rancic, Entrepreneur and Television Personality;
Member, Mercy Home Board of Regents
Tree Lighting
“Silent Night”
Performed by Rich Daniels and Dean Rolando
“This Christmas”
Performed by Tamar Greene
8:00 pm Event Concludes

Kali
Returning to Love, Warmth,
and Happiness
Our Kids’ Stories
Kali’s life turned upside down when she was 16.
When Kali and her mother were evicted from
their apartment, it was a complete surprise to
Kali—and she decided that it was time to move
on. After a few years of living with different
family friends, Kali’s therapist knew that she
was struggling and recommended Mercy
Home. At Mercy Home, Kali found the structure and accountability
she needed to make positive strides at school and to focus on her
future.
Full Story
Raffi
Discovering the Code on
the Path Less Taken
In the fall of 2016, former Mercy Home resident
and Community Care member Raffi was a
freshman at DePaul University and showed
promise as a brilliant and elegant coder. But
Raffi’s life was entering into a tailspin. After
a period of turbulence caused by anxiety
and depression, Raffi used the coping skills
he learned at Mercy Home and worked hard to improve his mental
health. In 2018, Raffi developed and released his first app, Watch
Party, which caught the attention of an impressed Google recruiter.
Full Story

Aisha
No Longer Lost
Aisha grew up with big dreams for her future,
but when she was seven, her mother died
from cancer and everything changed. With no
close family, Aisha was put into foster care.
The difficulties Aisha faced in her foster homes
took a serious toll on her, and she eventually
planned to drop out of school. That’s when her
guidance counselor introduced her to Mercy
Home. After a rough start, things started to improve for Aisha. She
had finally found a place she could call home.
Full Story
Dylan
Embracing the Present to
Envision His Future
After suffering years of abuse at the hands
of his father, 12-year-old Dylan and his
mother finally fled to a shelter and escaped
the violence. At the shelter, a social worker
recommended Mercy Home as the best option
for moving forward. Dylan had a difficult time
trusting and connecting with the male staff,
so the transition was rough. But over time, he started to let them in.
Now that Dylan no longer lived in chaos, he was able to refocus his
attention on school and develop new hobbies.
Full Story

Silent Auction Highlights
» Create your dream backyard with a new Weber grill, outdoor
sectional set, dining set, and more from Outdoor Interiors
» Two tickets to Hamilton: An American Musical on
Broadway, with a backstage tour from a cast member
» A weekend of golf and family fun at
Lost Dunes Golf Club in Michigan
» Sony Bravia 85” flat-screen TV
» Jerseys autographed by Chicago sports legends, including
Gale Sayers, Frank Thomas, Denis Savard, and more!
» Premier wine and spirits
» Artwork created by Mercy Home’s young women
Visit the silent auction site to check out our
other fabulous auction items and start bidding!
Bidding will remain open throughout the event,
and will close Saturday, December 5 at 9:00 pm.
For auction guidelines and pick-up instructions, visit the
“Auction Guidelines & Check-Out” tab on our auction webpage.
Help Us Raise $200,000
Thanks to a very generous friend of Mercy Home, all donations
to tonight’s event will be matched up to $100,000!
Please support our special pledge, hosted by Bill Rancic, and
help provide brighter futures for Mercy Home’s kids.
DONATE NOW
Thank you for your support!

Thank You to
Our Generous Sponsors!
Gold
Silver
Joe and Janet Nolan
Philip H. Corboy Foundation
Bobby and Johanna Rahal
Robert Gauch
Mark and Jamie Brady
Paul Adcock
Ernie and Pam Codilis
Brendan and Carol Deely –
Gabriel’s Light
Great Lakes Advisors
MBB Group Corporation
The McCarihan Family
Fran and Loretta O’Malley
Bronze
Event
City Lights Orchestra
Robert Half
SDI Presence LLC
Stack Family Foundation
Rick Stern - Nitel
Walsh Construction
Rana Wright
Ken and Meredith Wroblewski

Jim Williams
Tonight’s Speakers
Jim Williams is an anchor/reporter for CBS 2 Chicago. As
an original member of Mercy Home’s Board of Regents,
Williams has shared his talents, passion and professional
expertise to advance the Home’s mission since 1990. He
has nearly 40 years of journalism experience. In 2018,
Williams was inducted into the National Academy of
Television Arts & Sciences Silver Circle.
Rev. Scott Donahue
Rev. L. Scott Donahue is the president & CEO of Mercy
Home for Boys & Girls and leads its strategic vision to
care for trauma-affected youth and bring healing to
families. He has been involved with Mercy Home for
30 years. Father Donahue holds master’s degrees in
theology, applied spirituality, and social work. Author
of the book “Years of Mercy,” he also was awarded an
honorary doctorate from St. Xavier University. In addition
to his leadership of Mercy Home and his parish ministry, Father Scott
serves as the principal celebrant of the televised “Sunday Mass at Mercy
Home” on WGN-TV Channel 9.
Bill Rancic
Bill Rancic is an entrepreneur, author, restauranteur,
and television personality. He is a highly soughtafter
motivational speaker, speaking to companies
and organizations around the world on the topics of
entrepreneurship and business. Rancic is an active
member of Mercy Home’s Board of Regents and has
provided many opportunities for our young people to
serve others in need.

Tamar Greene
Tamar Greene plays the role of George Washington in
the Broadway company of the 11-time TONY Award®winning
production of HAMILTON. He has graced stages
worldwide, having led several wedding bands and
performed in national tours and venues in Italy, Germany,
England, and the Caribbean. As a classical pianist and an
opera singer, he combines much of his inspiration from
classical music with his passion for reggae, hip-hop, R&B, blues, and jazz.
Johanna Rahal
Johanna Rahal serves as chairman of Mercy Home’s
Board of Regents. After a career in the financial sector,
she joined the Indy racing team that her husband, Bobby
Rahal, co-owns with TV legend David Letterman and
Michael Lanigan, working with the company’s sales and
marketing. The couple became involved with Mercy
Home through our annual Ringside for Mercy’s Sake gala,
with Johanna ultimately joining Mercy Home’s board and contributing
substantially to the success of all of our annual special events. She also
serves as chairman of the Bobby Rahal Foundation, which uses the
platform of motor sports to support children’s charities.
Bob Carmody
Bob Carmody is vice chairman of Mercy Home’s Board
of Regents and was part of the inaugural class of our
Ambassadors of Mercy Board. As founder and owner of
Chicago-based Diana’s Bananas, Bob has offered Mercy
Home youth work experience and first-hand insights into
running a successful enterprise. Bob has helped generate
considerable revenue for the Home and has introduced
many new supporters to our mission, particularly through our special
events. Bob is chairman emeritus of the Chicago Family Business Council
sponsored by DePaul University, serves on the Board of the Industrial
Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC) and The Hatchery, and is a director
on the advisory board of the National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods
Association, Inc.

Powering
Communities
ComEd is proud to support
Mercy Home in its mission to
empower children in Chicago
by providing valubale resources
and programming.
Best Wishes to All
for a Wonderful Event!

Bobby and
Johanna Rahal

Warmest wishes to
Fr. Scott Donahue and the
staff and youth of Mercy Home
for Boys & Girls for a blessed
Christmas and a new year filled
with good health and great joy.
Mary Dempsey and
the Philip H. Corboy
Foundation

Merry Christmas
From the Chicago Laborers’ Charitable Foundation
James P. Connolly
Chairman
Charles LoVerde, III
Co-Chairman & Treasurer
Vern Bauman
Co-Chairman & President
Terrence M. Healy
Honorary Chairman
999 McClintock Drive, Burr Ridge, Illinois 60527
LiUNAChicago.org

Merry Christmas to all the kids and friends
of Mercy Home from the Brady Family

Proud Sponsor of the
MERCY HOME FOR
BOYS AND GIRLS
E
ATION
bank
unity and
, we are
ercy Home’s
young lives.
28 TH ANNUAL TREE
LIGHTING CELEBRATION
As a Chicago-based bank
committed to community and
relationship-building, we are
honored to support Mercy Home’s
mission of changing young lives.
FirstMidwest.com
Here’s to the most Blessed,
Beautiful & Brightest
Nights of the Year!

2 0 2 0 H O L I D A Y S E A S O N
HAPPY
HOLIDAYS
from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation
T H E R O B E R T R . M C C O R M I C K
F O U N D A T I O N I S H A P P Y T O
S U P P O R T
MERCY HOME
FOR BOYS &
GIRLS
A S I T C O N T I N U E S T O P R O V I D E
S A F E A N D S T A B L E S H E L T E R ,
F O O D , A N D C L O T H I N G T O
C H I C A G O ' S C H I L D R E N I N N E E D .
Academic and Residential Complex
University of Illinois at Chicago
SCB is a proud supporter of
Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.
Solomon Cordwell Buenz
scb.com
Architecture
Interior Design
Planning

MERCYHOME.ORG