The Night Ministry honors individuals, corporations, and organizations who have made significant contributions assisting individuals in Chicago struggling with poverty, homelessness, abuse, loneliness, and neglect at their annual Lighting Up the Night Awards Dinner & Auction every year.
2024 - We honored outreach partner the Chicago Transit Authority with the Lamplighter Award for its unwavering commitment to our mission and those we serve. Our former Board Chair Alicia Pond was honored with the Beacon Award for her extraordinary generosity and dedication to our mission. And we paid tribute to our late colleague Rev. Barbara Bolsen, awarding her family the Legacy of Light Award to commemorate Barb's lasting legacy and impact on our community.
2019 - We honored Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management for supporting the mission of The Night Ministry through the Kellogg Board Fellows Program and for supporting the professional development of The Night Ministry's leaders. WTTW host and producer, Geoffrey Baer, emceed 2019 Lighting Up the Night.
2018 - We honored Rush University Medical Center for the mental health services it provides to residents of our Youth Housing Programs. Sanjay Shah, Founder and CEO of Vistex, chaired the event, and Robert H. Jordan, Jr., veteran newsman of WGN-TV and Board Member Emeritus of The Night Ministry, was the emcee.
2017 - We honored the Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation. Anne Pramaggiore, President and CEO of ComEd, chaired the event, and Robert H. Jordan, Jr., veteran newsman of WGN-TV and Board Member Emeritus of The Night Ministry, was the emcee.
2016 - It was a particularly special event, as The Night Ministry celebrated 40 years of providing housing, health care, and human connection to adults and youth experiencing poverty and homelessness in our community. The Night Ministry's Board of Directors hosted the event and Board Member Dave Berger chaired the 2016 Dinner Committee. WGN-TV News at Nine Weekend Anchor, Robert H. Jordan, Jr. was the Master of Ceremonies.
2015 - We honored Board of Directors Member Gordon Addington and his wife, Paula (President’s Award), Windy City Times (Outstanding Community Partner Award), and Kristen Kelly and Anne de Mare of Spargel Productions (Outstanding Community Advocate Award). Laurie McCollum & Carl Warschausky, President & CEO at World Kitchen, and Beth & Chuck Boehrer, of Winston & Strawn, LLP chaired the event. Neil Steinberg, Chicago Sun-Times Columnist, was the emcee.
2014 - We honored Janine Landow–Esser (President’s Award), Winston & Strawn LLP (Outstanding Corporate Partner Award), and Lake View Lutheran Church (Outstanding Community Partner Award). Ken Perlmutter, Founder and President of PERL Mortgage, Inc., chaired the event. Neil Steinberg, Chicago Sun-Times Columnist, was the emcee.
2013 - We honored Rotary Club of Chicago-Lakeview, volunteer Willie Harris, and Peoples Gas. Frederick H. Waddell, Chairman and CEO of Northern Trust Corporation, chaired the event. Christian Farr, Reporter for NBC 5 News, was the emcee.
2012 - We honored Board Member Bill Goldstein and his wife, Anne; the Union Church of Hinsdale; and Bonnie Kepplinger for their outstanding service to The Night Ministry.
2011 - We honored The Night Ministry's first President, Reverend Thomas Behrens; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, who has supported us for 20 years; and dedicated Health Outreach Bus volunteer Reverend Charles (Sandy) Rex.
2010 - We honored Quarles & Brady LLP, The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust (JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and James L. Alexander, Co-Trustees), and long-time shelter volunteer Jan Gross Rotter.
2009 - We honored Ellen & Paul Gignilliat, Fourth Presbyterian Church, and The Employees of the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel.
2008 - We honored McCormick Foundation, Helen & Dick Thomas, and the Congregation of Anshe Emet.
2007 - We honored ComEd, An Exelon Company, First Slice, and long-time supporters Chet Gougis (a member of The Night Ministry's Board of Directors) & Shelly Ochab.
2006 - We awarded our Lamp Lighter Award to the Lead Donors to our Capital Campaign and volunteer Matthew Sorenson.
2005 - We honored Kraft Foods, Kenilworth Union Congregation, and volunteer Jane Sanderson, with our Lamp Lighter Award.
2004 - We recognized long-time supporters of The Night Ministry Karen & Dick Pigott (a member of The Night Ministry's Board of Directors), Sara Lee Foundation, and Elvina Moen with Lamp Lighter Awards.
2003 - We awarded our Lamp Lighter Award to Merisant, makers of Equal Sweetener, Philip McGuigan, a Trustee of the Francis Asbury Palmer Fund, and a family of volunteers, the Melzer Family.
2002 - We honored Peoples Energy Chairman, Richard Terry, DePaul University President, John Minogue and volunteer Mory Sanberg, with our Lamp Lighter Award.
2001 - We recognized The Chicago Stock Exchange and Robert Forney, Night Ministry Board Member, with our Lamp Lighter Award.
2000 - We awarded Richard Notebaert, Northern Trust, and The Greater Chicago Food Depository with our Lamp Lighter Award for helping to “light up the night” with their good works.
1998 - We honored Mr. Frederick Becker, President & CEO of the Marmon Group, Inc., with our Luminary Award for his personal and corporate contributions to The Night Ministry.
1997 - We recognized Dr. & Mrs. Andrew Thomson for their service & dedication.
1981 - We awarded Rev. Frederick Trost of St. Pauls United Church of Christ in Chicago The Night Ministry’s Service Award for his work in the church and community. Rev. Trost was also one of the pastors responsible for founding The Night Ministry.