Summary for 2001's Awards Dinner

Save A Life Foundation's Awards Gala 2001

There was a record attendance of nearly 600 guests at this year's benefit that was chaired by Mayor and Mrs. Donald Stephens and emceed by Illinois Lt. Governor Corinne Wood.

Held on September 29th at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, the evening's elegant festivities started with a cocktail reception, where guests mingled, bid on silent auction items and personally met the keynote speaker, Dr. Henry Heimlich.

A packed house swelled even more; with patriotic pride, when a U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard presented The Colors and everyone sang our National Anthem.   As dinner was served, guests were welcomed and thanked by the Save A Life Foundation's  (SALF) founder/ president, Carol Spizzirri.  Carol spoke of the foundation's mission and sadly remembered the tragedy that shook our country on September 11th and how this unfortunate disaster deepened awareness for the vital need of training the masses in emergency preparedness.   That SALF was exploring ways to meet the challenge of this nationwide training.

Raising funds at the annual event is crucial, but not the sole purpose.  It also serves as a means for publicly honoring certain individuals or groups.   Helping with the presentation of this year's awards were Dr. Henry Heimlich, Illinois St.  Senator Walter Dudycz and Cook County Commissioner Joseph Mario Moreno.  Action Awards are given to individuals whose actions include using basic life supporting skills to save others.  Service and Civic Awards recognize those that have strongly advocated and advanced the SALF cause.

Action Award recipients this time around included Fabian Marquez, Luis Espinosa and Cook County Sheriff's Deputy, Ruben Archilla.  At only 10 years of age, Fabian received the SALF'S Dr. Heimlich Award for using the Maneuver to save the life his 4 year old stepbrother.  Espinosa and Archilla were recognized for their heroics with the SALF'S Dr. Safar (father of CPR) Award.  Both gentlemen worked together to administer CPR to revive a drowned little girl.  These two saved youngsters were at the dinner; eating, laughing, dancing – so alive - because of the immediate actions of trained bystanders.

Honored with Service and Civic Awards, were Mayor and Mrs. Stephens, the Village of Rosemont,  SALF Springfield Facilitator, Jan Kelley  and SALF instructors.  Generous contributions by Gala Sponsors were an integral part of the benefit's success. Event sponsorship plaques were given in appreciation of this support.  Gold Sponsors were: the Village of Rosemont, the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, the Allstate Arena, the Rosemont Theatre and the Daily Herald Newspaper.  Recognized for a Silver Sponsorship was the Rosemont Chamber of Commerce.  Acknowledged with Bronze Sponsorship Plaques were: Royal American Bank, Cremation Services, Law Offices of Storino, Ramello  & Durkin,  Degen & Rosato Construction / Air Quality Maintenance Companies,  Kintetsu Travel,  Law Offices of Rosenthal,  Murphey, Coblentz & Janega,  Northwest Display Corporation and the Law Offices of Ryan & Ryan.

Throughout the evening there was a variety of entertainment. Guests were a rockin' n rollin' to the Rockin' Fenderskirts Band, be-poppin' to John "Elvis", swayin' to soul singer Del Brown and slow dancin' to crooner Jack Miuccio.   Everyone had a great time while contributing to a worthy cause.  Proceeds from the event will aid the Save A Life Foundation in its mission of promoting and providing training to everyone in basic life supporting emergency first aid / CPR skills in order to reduce deaths and disabling injuries.

Communique Article about the Award's Dinner