2nd Annual Silent Auction

     On November 22nd we had our 2nd Fundraiser here at Femi Memorial Outreach, and it was so much more than we could ever ask for. Our silent auction had 48 items donated by local and national companies and totaled a value of nearly $15,000!! The generosity of our donors was so much more than we even imagined and for that, we are so thankful. The event was held at Michelle's Ballroom from 7-10 p.m., where we provided food, drinks, and entertainment by University of Chicago's Dirt Red Brass Band. Our guests enjoyed time to wonder the Silent Auction while mingling with community supporters from Dominican University, local churches, Femi Outreach program students and tutors, previous Femi Outreach employers, community leaders, and the Femi Outreach Staff. During this time, we were able to familiarize the event attendee's with our organization and create relationships with many new friends of Femi. After some time to mingle, dinner was served, catered by Lee and Eddies Catering, and the program began. Our program leaders were Zelda Robinson and Keith McDonald, who are both active in the Chicago's public learning programs and Chicago Public Television.

     Zelda kicked off our program and then handed the microphone to Renee Sassana, former administrative assistant for Femi Outreach. She was able to share her remarkable experiences with Femi Outreach ranging from tutoring successes, to grant successes, to challenges overcame, and challenges we are presented with currently. Her speech was inspiring and informative to our attendee's and created conversation about the organization and its future. After hearing from Renee, our president Bob Pedro took the stage and shared his experience with Femi Outreach over the past 9 years. He brought attention to Ange Reda, our partner from Dominican University who came to support the organization. He thanked her for giving Femi Outreach the opportunity to be the first organization at Dominican University to provide off-campus federal work study opportunities so that we could reach out to schools on the West Side of Chicago. Bob then expressed his gratitude for Femi Outreach's greatest supporters and his friends who have given guidance and  love to the organization. Then, we were able to hear about the organization from students who received tutoring from the program. They shared their unique experience and how Femi Outreach helped them to succeed. Our program then concluded and the Dirt Red Brass Band played for the remainder of time left in the Silent Auction. It was a night that will never be forgotten here at Femi Outreach. We were able to connect with our community and bring everyone together, which we cannot often do.

     Our hopes for the future are continuously growing. Femi Outreach wants to continue providing outstanding tutoring services to students in need in all of the Chicagoland area. This new year brings us opportunities to improve the program and grow in the community. We will continue to work hard and push for growth for the benefit of the children in our programs. Thank you for your support along the way, for we could not do this without you. Be sure to check out our website and Facebook page for updates on Femi Outreach.