Smart Love Scholarship Benefit Raises More Than $77,000 to Support Families in Need

More than 230 supporters of Smart Love Family Services gathered at the Four Seasons Chicago on Friday, March 14th to celebrate the organization’s third annual Scholarship Benefit Gala. The evening kicked off with a lively cocktail hour and an engaging silent auction. After perusing the luxurious offerings of the silent auction, guests enjoyed a delicious dinner and formal presentation about the organization and the many services they provide for children, adolescents, adults and families. After dinner, guests were able to further their support of the organization by participating in a spirited live auction featuring a magnificent stay in Mexico, a Bears Tailgating Party and more.  The crown jewel of this year’s live auction was “Date Night for a Year,” which included a stay at the Four Seasons Chicago, East Bank Club passes, Chicago Cubs tickets, theater tickets, restaurant certificates, a picnic in Millennium Park and a couple’s photo session.

Co-chaired by Walter Miller and Stephen Jackson, the Benefit raised more than $77,000 to support the Martha Heineman Pieper, Ph.D. and William J. Pieper M.D. Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Fund enables low income children to benefit from Smart Love services or to attend The Natalie G. Heineman Smart Love Preschool.  Smart Love® helps children, adolescents, parents, couples and adults achieve greater inner well-being, sustain closer relationships, and reach their full potentials in life.

“We are extremely grateful for the generous support of all those that attended,” said Carolyn Stolper Friedman, Executive Director of Smart Love. “This year’s event was an incredible success due to the hard work of our Benefit Co-Chairs, committee members and those who believe in the mission of Smart Love. The funds raised at this year’s event will allow us to serve many more children and families in need.”

For more information about Smart Love Family Services, The Natalie G. Heineman Smart Love Preschool or to donate to the Martha Heineman Pieper, Ph.D. and William J. Pieper, M.D., Scholarship Fund, please call Carolyn Friedman at 773.665.8052 or email her at carolyn.friedman@smartlovefamily.org.

Smart Love Family Services and The Natalie G. Heineman Smart Love Preschool are based on the Smart Love philosophy which was developed by two highly respected experts, Martha Heineman Pieper, Ph.D. and William J. Pieper, M.D.  Supported by the latest child development research, Smart Love has been successfully applied by trained professionals in a broad range of settings for over three decades.  The mission of Smart Love Family Services is to help children, adolescents, parents, couples and adults achieve greater inner well-being, sustain closer relationships, and reach their full potentials in life. Based on Smart Love principles, services include counseling, parent coaching, parent education classes, publications and consultation to schools and organizations. Also founded upon the established Smart Love philosophy, The Natalie G. Heineman Smart Love Preschool provides a setting that promotes children’s long-term academic success by strengthening children’s social and emotional health and inspiring their intellectual creativity through play-based learning.  For more information please visit www.smartlovefamily.org or www.smartlovepreschool.org.