Nearly 150 people celebrated OLLI’s 20th birthday by attending its special fundraiser event on Friday, August 29 at Kickapoo Creek Winery.
The fundraiser was developed to help OLLI continue its tradition of unique, high quality, engaging, and educational programming. Participants spent a beautiful afternoon taking behind-the-scenes tours of the winery with owner (and fellow OLLI member) Dr. David Conner, partaking in wine tastings, enjoying appetizers on the patio, and enjoying the music of the Bradley University Jazz Combo.
After a delicious dinner (which was briefly interrupted by a late summer thunderstorm), participants were entertained by local comedian Rex Havens, who had everyone in stitches with his insightful observations about the hilarious miscommunication that populates our personal lives. In addition, Rex made a generous donation to OLLI by giving all proceeds of his book and compact disc sales to the fundraising effort.
OLLI thanks Rex and our other generous sponsors, Bill Kwon of the Kwon Gallup Group at Morgan Stanley, and Dr. Conner of Kickapoo Creek Winery, for making this first-ever event such a success.
Over the past two years, member donations allowed OLLI to purchase two shuttles and provide Lectures and Cinema programs for free. This year, our fundraising efforts will focus on improving the audio-visual equipment and technology services for OLLI Classes, Study Groups, Cinema, Learning Trips, and Lectures.
For more information about annual or planned giving, please contact Janet Lange, Executive Director of Continuing Education, at lange@bradley.edu.
Couldn't have enjoyed the evening and company more...and the winery tour was outstanding with spontaneous Q & A with Dr. Connor. It was like a personal learning tour. Thanks to all who planned and covered the logistics of this successful evening.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun evening and great company! The wine tour was outstanding with Dr. Connor answering spontaneous questions...a personal learning tour. Special thanks to all those who planned and executed the program.
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ReplyDeleteCouldn't have enjoyed the evening and company more...and the winery tour was outstanding with spontaneous Q & A with Dr. Connor. It was like a personal learning tour. Thanks to all who planned and covered the logistics of this successful evening.