Assistance League Chicagoland West

Books-Brunch-7-e1736470683942

Photos by Michelle James

The Assistance League Chicagoland West hosted its annual Books & Brunch in early November at The Abbington in Glen Ellyn. Close to 500 attendees joined the lively conversation with Pulitzer Prize Winner Jonathan Eig as well as authors Luis Urrea and Libby Fischer Hellmann, and moderator Andrea Thome.

The Assistance League Chicagoland West supports DuPage and western Cook Counties through programs like Operation School Bell, aiding students with clothing, literacy, and necessities.

Other initiatives include New Start for housing essentials, Scholars Support scholarships, Community Outreach crisis aid, and Assisteens, where teens develop community service projects, fostering education, stability, and self-sufficiency. Visit ALCW.org for more information.

Assistance League charter members Marilyn Krafthefer and Jan McGivern

Assistance League members Laura Morse and Patricia St. Cyr

Guest Gina Bucciarelli and Assistance League member Inga Haveric

Assistance League members Gopi Ahuja and Bijal Bhuva-Doshi

Books & Brunch Emcee Andrea Thome, Books & Brunch Co-Chairs JoAnn Barranco and Susann Oakum, Assistance League President Yvonne Mayer

Jewelry Raffle Winner Mridu Garg, Michelle Kovach and Amy Malfese from Bella Cosa Jewelers

Author

Ahmed will graduate from HCHS this spring and hopes to study law.

Model Student

DG W Cover 2

Rustic Elegance

EM-W-1-Cover

Music and Mentorship

OB Cover + HM - Sophia Ibrahim - 1W

In Harmony

HM OB DG EM - Home Upgrades - W

Renovations Worth Every Dollar

HM-OB-DG-EM-W2-Home-Org-2

Home Organizing Trends

HM OB DG EM - Homes Through the Decades - W

Built for the Times

Candid photo of the original creator of the technique used explaining the process and showing on his phone

Laying the Foundation

Fair captured the
atmosphere and key moments at the Rotary GroveFest in Downers Grove this past summer.

Behind the Lens

Clarendon Hills Chapter of the Infant Welfare Society (CHIW) is composed of 50 volunteers who are dedicated to fundraising and supporting the Angel Harvey Family Health Center in Chicago. <br><i>Photos courtesy of the CHIW Light Up the Night Masquerade Ball in 2025</i>

A Gala for Giving

Sunday Funday players run a play in flag football last fall

Just Having Fun

Winners of Chef Showdown 2025: Garry Smith, General Manager, VAI’s Naperville; Karen Wells, Participant Sous Chef, Make-A-Wish Foundation; Kyle Koller, Participant Head Chef, Entourage Naperville; Dustin Wilson, Participant Sous Chef, Wellness House; and Sandy Georganas, Guest and Partner, VAI’s and Entourage Hospitality Group

Chef Showdown