LINK Unlimited’s 9th Annual DreamKeepers Awards Gala was the most successful fundraiser in the organization’s 46-year history. The organization raised more than a half a million dollars during this year’s event that will support African American scholars. Over 600 of Chicago’s top business, philanthropic and community leaders were in attendance during the event, which was held on Wednesday night at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago.
The success was due to the hard work and dedication of 2013 honoree Edward J. Wehmer, president and CEO of Wintrust Financial, who used professional and personal connections to help raise the remarkable amount. The funds will be distributed to sustain educational and mentoring programs that serve economically disadvantaged African American high school youth in Chicago who exhibit strong academic potential and leadership qualities.
During the Gala, LINK Unlimited student Samuel Hinshelwood of Marion Catholic High School shared his personal experience of how LINK and his mentors influenced his successful past four years in high school. Hinshelwood will be attending Stanford University in the fall on a full scholarship. He is just one of the many success stories due to the works of LINK Unlimited.
