L-W Business Women's Org Auction A Hit, Raises $51K

NEW LENOX, IL — A dinner auction to generate funds to support scholarships for local young women was a huge success last month, its organizer told Patch.

The Lincoln-Way Area Business Women's Organization's annual Christmas auction, organized by Stephanie Marquardt of LGM Balloon Decor, was held Dec. 4, and brought in $51,000. The majority raised will go toward scholarships for young women who reside in New Lenox, Frankfort, Mokena, Manhattan or are graduates of Lincoln-Way District 210 High School.

With 230 in attendance, the auction is the group's most essential annual fundraiser, and helps determine the dollar amount and number of scholarships awarded each year.

In a move to help generate more donations, Marquardt recently led a push to shift the organization from a 501c6, to a 501c3. All vendors hired for the event were also local to the Lincoln-way area, she said.

"Lastly, we welcomed female District 210 students and young ladies from Girl Scouts of America to volunteer at the event in order to earn community service hours needed to graduate and towards community badges within the Girls Scout Of America program," Marquardt said.

Marquardt and organizers worked closely with the Lincoln-Way District 210 LIFE Transition program, which serves students with special needs. Students in the program benefit from the functional, hands-on instruction and meaningful life skills experiences in a natural setting, the district said on its website.

"Transition students helped prepping baskets at LGM Balloon Decor warehouse," Marquardt said, "as well as setting up the day of the event."