2012 Cocktail Party

The 4th Annual One For The Kids Cocktail Party, was held on April 28th at the Hyatt Lodge in Oak Brook, located on the McDonalds Campus. The bash, also celebrating One For The Kids 20th Anniversary, was the largest to date and raised a record high of 97,000 dollar before expenses. Over 400 guests arrived to the sounds of Craig Lanigan on piano and the voice of Elliot From, an amazing performance artist.

As the guests moved into the large ballroom they were surprised to find an entire wall draped in sheets and Elliot painting live, playing with the audience and tricking them. His impromptu art creations were auctioned off that evening and raised over 6,000 dollars of One For The Kids. As the performance art was cleared away, the dancing began. The endless, intoxicating sound of the Paul Windsor Orchestra took guests to their feet in awe. Even Tim Smithe, made famous by his furniture stores commercial jingle, hit the stage for a cameo performance.

Their was a brief pause in music for the introduction to the 2012 host family, the Cuichings, as well as the three charities that One For The Kids donates to every year; Benton House, Special Olympics Chicago, and The Heart Institute for Children (THIC). The video is available on our website in its entirety. As the announcements ended, the guests were left to absorb the evenings humbling message of gratitude in their own way. A musical reminder that this was a celebration of success quickly broke through the silence.

As the evening continued, guests were able to wander the large party area in search of treasure. It was not buried, but in the open for guests bidding pleasures. The Silent Auction was a buzz, with large ticket items like a trip to Hawaii and Dave Mathews signed guitar, the tables were inundated with bids. Let us not forget the crowded Martini Bar were you could customize your Martini and watch it chill down the luge. A cigar bar, candy bar and wine tasting were also open throughout the event.

As the party began to sail towards the finish, guests were surprised as waiters with silver trays delivered McDonalds Cheeseburgers to every guest. Children were excited, but then again so were the supposed mature attendees, as laugher spread around the room and seconds were demanded. As the music slowed and guests began to the leave the fun was not over. Every guest was given some party favors for the road including the signature popcorn gift baggy.