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.
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.
Event Details
October 9, 2025
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Benefit Sponsors
Imagine Sponsors
Lindy & Mike Keiser
Presenting Sponsors
Frank ten Brink & Jeannine Cleary
Empowering Sponsors
Lindy Hirschsohn & Chris Coetzee
Lead Sponsors
Char & Larry Damron
Gochnauer Family Foundation
Justin Hance & Shannon Halloway
Frank & Lauren Karl
Liz Keigher & Jay Kujawa
Christina & Jason Mueller
Maureen & Steve Wierema
Supporting Sponsors
Helen & Michael Arkes
Tim & Rachel Bates
Amy & Gabe Cahill
Linda & Kevin Conway
Lori & Bruce Fogelson
Carrie Littman & Nelson Iginla
Viki & Tom Rivkin
Table Hosts
Charlie & Kirsten Berkowitz
David Bierman & Kristen Schultz
Bucktown Friends of VOCEL
Valencia & Jon Fellows
Jesse & Ben Ilhardt
Katten
David Kelly & Kelly Powers Kelly
Andrew & Leigh Anne Larsen
Irene & Rich Parisi
Jeff & Anajah Philogene
Cathryn & Justin Schmaltz
Nick & Ariele Scodro
Wintrust Bank
In-Kind Sponsors