2025 Benefit Dinner

October 9
6:00 p.m.
Rockwell on the River

Tickets on sale in July!

After more than a decade of innovation in early education, VOCEL has big ambitions to combat inequity citywide, leveraging the power of brain-building play in the early years that matter most. Through partnerships with everyday changemakers — parents and educators — in communities with limited economic resources, VOCEL ensures children have the foundation to learn, grow, and lead.


Join us at IMAGINE — a joyful, playful fundraising dinner where you, your friends and colleagues can help make transformative early education a reality for kids citywide.

Event Details

October 9, 2025
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Rockwell on the River
3057 N Rockwell St.
Chicago, IL 60618

IMAGINE will feature a seated dinner program unlocking VOCEL’s vision for early childhood excellence, an open bar, and hands-on opportunities to play, imagine, and invest.

After more than a decade of innovation in early education, VOCEL has big ambitions to combat inequity citywide, leveraging the power of brain-building play in the early years that matter most. Through partnerships with everyday changemakers — parents and educators — in communities with limited economic resources, VOCEL ensures children have the foundation to learn, grow, and lead.


Join us at IMAGINE — a joyful, playful fundraising dinner where you, your friends and colleagues can help make transformative early education a reality for kids citywide.

Event Details

October 9, 2025
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Rockwell on the River
3057 N Rockwell St.
Chicago, IL 60618

IMAGINE will feature a seated dinner program unlocking VOCEL’s vision for early childhood excellence, an open bar, and hands-on opportunities to play, imagine, and invest.

Imagine Sponsors

Imagine Sponsors

Lindy & Mike Keiser


Presenting Sponsors

Frank ten Brink & Jeannine Cleary


Empowering Sponsors

Lindy Hirschsohn & Chris Coetzee


Lead Sponsors

Char & Larry Damron

Justin Hance & Shannon Halloway

Frank & Lauren Karl

Liz Keigher & Jay Kujawa

Maureen & Steve Wierema


Supporting Sponsors

Helen & Michael Arkes

Sharon & Neil Book

Linda & Kevin Conway

Lori & Bruce Fogelson

Lisa Kueng & Tony Green

Carrie Littman & Nelson Iginla

Christina & Jason Mueller

Viki & Tom Rivkin


Table Hosts

The Berkowitz Family

Michelle & Johnny Carlson

Jon & Valencia Fellows

Grant Gochnauer & Gabriel Fontes de Faria

The Hartford

Jesse & Ben Ilhardt

Ankeet & Lauren Kansupada

Katten Muchin Roseman LLP

David Kelly & Kelly Powers Kelly

Cathryn & Justin Schmaltz

Nick & Ariele Scodro


In-Kind Sponsors

Gabriel Rojas Photography

Become a Sponsor

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