PROGRAM BOOK

A Big Thank You to Everyone for Making our Gala 2011 a Success!

As you know this past Saturday, November 12, 2011 the Polish American Association held its Annual Gala at The CAFÉ LA CAVE.in Des Plaines. It was the beginning of the PAA’s 90th anniversary celebration and also a chance for us to honor John J. Pikarski, Jr. with the Presidential Award.  The principal of the land use and real estate tax law firm of Gordon and Pikarski, Mr. Pikarski was recognized for his long standing commitment and generous contributions to PAA, in addition to the many other charitable causes that he and his family support in Chicago and the Polish American community. All the tickets for our 2011 Annual Gala honoring John J. Pikarski Jr. were sold. Master of Ceremonies was Charlie Wojciechowski from NBC5 and the Marc Anthony Orchestra provided our entertainment as we celebrated the occasion.

The Banquet Hall was filled with many distinguished guests: Judges Diann Marsalek, Frank Gembala, Bettina Gembala, Appellate Court Justice AureliaPucinski, DuPage County Board Member Don Puchalski, Deputy Consul General Rusiecki, Illinois State Bar Association Board of Governors Member Jessica O'Brien, Incoming Advocate's Society President Regina Rathnau, Alderman John Arena, State Representative Toni Berrios, Cook County Assessor and Auxilliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Chicago Andrzej Wypych.

Chairman of the PAA’s Board, Conrad Nowak said: "I am very pleased that so many of our community's business, political, and professional leaders came together to show their support for our organization. It is a testimonial to the PAA's unbridled mission of helping those in need for nearly 90 years - a truly significant accomplishment by any standards. We have every intention to grow strong and keep making a positive impact in the community for at least 90 more, and beyond."

Join the link to the Gala pictures - click HERE.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped to make this event a fantastic success.  First we would like to thank our Sponsors:

• Quantum Foods
• Archdiocese of Chicago
• Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP
• Jewel-Osco
• Legion of Young Polish Women
• Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union
• PNC Bank
• BIR Training Center
• Cukierski & Kowal, L.L.C.
• FRAGOMEN
• Fred Leya, M. D.
  
• MBB Enterprises of Chicago, INC.
• Leo Niemiec
• Dr. Mark Sobor - SOMA Medical Clinic

The PAA is also grateful for the generosity of the OAK MILL BAKERY for donating trays of delicious sweets, JEWEL – OSCO for the beautiful center pieces and PNC Bank for the Belgium chocolate party favors.We would like to thank those of you who sponsored tables as well as everyone who purchased tickets. We would like to thank those of you who contributed by attending, and everyone who purchased ad space in our Gala Program Book. We would additionally like to thank the people and organizations that very generously donated items for our Silent Auction and the wine for the Wine Pull. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone else involved for their contribution and support in preparation for this event.

Your help is greatly appreciated and will allow us to continue providing assistance for those in need in the Polish community. The programs you have helped us support include: feeding the hungry that visit our food pantry, counseling the abused, offering job training and placement, educational opportunities, providing alcohol counseling, and offering immigration and language classes to those in need within the Polish community.

The Annual Gala is PAA’s largest fundraising event of the year. All proceeds benefit the organization’s 28 programs and the more than 3,000 clients who seek our help each month. Because of your generosity we can continue our mission to provide Resources for Changing Lives. There is much more to accomplish for those we serve and we simply cannot do it without you.

We hope to see you next year.