Annual Gala Live Auction Preview

#101 It’s a Good Day!

It’s a good day! Throughout a stay at a Ronald McDonald House, families experience many hardships, but also amazing, wonderful moments that are deserving of celebration. We are here for all of it, and you can be too.  Sponsor our Good Day Chimes and help families ring in some happiness. These joyful and whimsical chimes will be featured in a Good Day zone at the House. Kids and parents will activate the chimes to fill the House with fun, sharing the celebration of their moments with other families, volunteers, staff, and guests. Sponsor our Good Day Chimes for their inaugural year of celebration in our Houses.

#102 Santo Cielo

Elevate your dining experience with a private prix-fixe dinner and beverage pairing for 10 at Santo Cielo, a ‘globally inspired kitchen,’ rated the #1 Best Restaurant in Naperville by Time Out magazine and Best Cocktail Bar by “Best of Naperville 2022.”

The fine print: Must be booked with at least 14 days advance notice; Saturdays and major holidays excluded; gratuity not included; expires April 30, 2024. Donor: Bien Trucha Group

#103 Iceland Fire & Ice

It’s the power of Icelandic nature to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. A dip in a pool becomes a soak in a geothermal lagoon; a casual stroll can transform into a trek across a glittering glacier; and a quiet night may mean front-row seats to the Aurora Borealis curtains of light, or the soft, pinkish hue of the midnight sun. No place on Earth seems so alien, but perhaps no place is as pure a showcase for our planet’s most raw and active geological features as Iceland. It’s indescribably beautiful. This once-in-a-lifetime experience includes a 5-night stay for 2 at a Hilton, Marriott, Radisson (or similar hotel) in Reykjavik, and three excursions: Northern Lights & Star Gazing, Blue Lagoon with Mud Mask, and Golden Circle Tour.

The fine print: Must be booked within one year of auction dater, travel must occur within two years of auction date; blackout dates include December 24 – January 5, Northern Lights are only available August 15 – April 25 (an alternate experience can be reserved for you if traveling outside of this time); airfare not included.

#104 Chicago Cubs 1914 Club

Hey, batter batter! Swing, batter batter! Root root root for the Cubbies in style from the exclusive 1914 Club! Package includes 4 tickets (Section 18, Row 6, Seats 7-10) to the Saturday, July 22, 2023 home game vs. the Cardinals, 1 parking pass, and a custom video board message.

Donor: HAVI

#105 Private Chef

Have you ever wondered what it is like to have a personal private chef? Now is your chance! Choose between a chef-curated private dinner party for 8, or treat your guests to a private chef-led cooking class for 8 in your home. Both experiences include wine pairings and are led by Chef Mark Chmielewski. Chef Mark has run some of Chicago’s top restaurants, including Toque Restaurant, Smith & Wollensky, Wolfgang Pucks Catering, and most recently, overseeing the private dining and restaurants with Levy Restaurants.

The Fine Print: Mutually agreed upon date; menu selections and wine pairings will be agreed upon when date is chosen.

Donor: Chef Mark Chmielewski and Russ & Dawn Smyth

#106 Bulls Luxury Suite

Cheer on our very own Chicago Bulls in luxury! Experience a game at the United Center from an Executive Suite. Package includes 12 tickets to a 2023/2024 regular season game, 4 parking passes, a $1,000 food and beverage allowance, and private suite entrance and elevators. It’s an experience you and your guests will never forget!

The fine print: Game date to be mutually agreed upon once the 2023/2024 season schedule is released. Expires at the end of the regular 2023/2024 season. Tickets will be transferred to the winner digitally via Ticketmaster.

Donor: Wintrust

#107 Belize Placencia Resort

Experience the life of luxury in a 2-bedroom suite during a 5-night stay for 4 in beautiful Maya Beach, just a short journey away from the quaint village of Placencia, in Belize. This beach resort has beautifully appointed, modern suites with on-site restaurants and a swim-up bar in one of Belize’s largest pools. Enjoy paddle-boards, kayaks, bicycles, and volleyball on The Placencia’s private beach, as well as the fitness center and full-service spa at the resort. Visit the resort’s private island, Ranguana Caye, and spend the day in a pristine tropical paradise sipping on a frozen cocktail, snorkeling, or playing beach games. There is no shortage of fun things to do including jungle tours, fishing trips, and much more.

The fine print: Travel must occur within two years of auction date; blackout dates include the weeks of Easter, Christmas, and New Year’s; airfare, excursions, and food & beverage not included.