For the third straight year, The Rosecrance Foundation set an attendance record at the annual Benefit, which raises funds to help families that need financial assistance for behavioral health treatment services.
Multi-platinum country quartet Lonestar headlined the event, which was held Monday, April 27, 2015, at Giovanni’s. They performed to a sold-out house of almost 840 guests.
The benefit included presentation of The Castle Award, Rosecrance’s pinnacle honor, to businessman and philanthropist John J. McDonough, a longtime supporter of the organization. Rosecrance President/CEO Philip W. Eaton recognized McDonough for his long commitment to the organization, particularly for chairing two capital campaigns to expand services. A decade ago, McDonough co-chaired the $5 million campaign to build the new adolescent treatment center on University Drive in Rockford. Recently, he agreed to lead a campaign to raise funds for a treatment office and recovery residence for young adults that will open in Chicago in 2016.
McDonough founded and owned several businesses, including GENDEX Corporation, McDonough Medical Products Corporation and National Telecommunication Services. Eaton spoke of how McDonough’s personal health challenges impacted his business success.
“He has turned his struggle of living with Type I diabetes into a personal challenge to overcome obstacles that get in the way of helping people lead healthier lives,” Eaton said. “To that end, his amazing ingenuity and entrepreneurship in healthcare have, in a very real way, improved life for countless individuals.”
The event also featured success stories of Rosecrance alumni in a video titled, “Discovering Dreams in Recovery.”
Proceeds from the annual event go to the Kinley Charity Care Fund, which has raised some $7 million to help families since the fund was established in 1984. Last year, the Kinley Fund provided treatment services to more than 500 families.
Lisa Lindman, chair of the Rosecrance Foundation Board, expressed gratitude for the generosity of benefactors in the community who support the Benefit.
“Part of our success is due to a growing understanding in the community that treatment works,” Lindman said. “These days it is a rare person who doesn’t know of someone who needs help for a substance use or mental health disorder. This generous community is willing to donate funds to improve access to care that will change and save lives.”