2019 Navy SEAL Foundation Midwest Evening of Tribute Raises Over $3 Million in Support of Naval Special Warfare Warriors and Families

CHICAGO, Sept. 9, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Last Wednesday evening, September 4th, hundreds of patriots, executives, and heroes filled the Hilton Ballroom at 720 S. Michigan Avenue as friends and supporters of the Navy SEAL Foundation assembled for the 2019 Midwest Evening of Tribute.

This yearly event held in Chicago draws attendance from all over the Midwest, recognizes the courage, commitment and sacrifices of the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community, giving attendees an opportunity to show their gratitude and support for these outstanding warriors and families. This year's event raised over $3 million in support of the Navy SEAL Foundation's mission, bringing the total raised to nearly $18 million dollars over six years.

The evening began with a VIP roundtable discussion and cocktail reception. The discussion was lead by Bob Loquercio, event Chairman and CEO/President of Bob Loquercio Automotive Group, and speakers included former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Shannon Sedgwick Davis, CEO of the Bridgeway Foundation, who shared personal stories with those in attendance.

As the beautifully decorated second-floor ballroom opened, guests made their way to their tables and viewed the presentation of the Colors by the Chicago Police Department's Color Guard. Next, award-winning singer and Chicago local, Jim Cornelison sang a moving rendition of the National Anthem.

The evening's Co-Chairs Veronica and Bob Loquercio took the stage where Bob graciously welcomed attendees. He emphasized the importance of events such as the Midwest Evening of Tribute and mission of the Navy SEAL Foundation and recognized attending military members, NSW members and their families, Gold Star and Surviving family members, and the evening's honored guests. He then introduced special guest, Rear Admiral Jaime Sands, Commander of Great Lakes Naval Training Base, who recognized Robin King, Chief Executive Officer of the Navy SEAL Foundation, by presenting her with the USSOCOM Outstanding Civilian Service Medal.

Ms. King graciously accepted the award and credited her teammates for their dedication to the mission of the Foundation. She then spoke about the purpose and history of the Navy SEAL Foundation and how teamwork is integral to the success of its programs. She shared how working together to reach a common goal of sustaining the warriors and families the Foundation supports is making a difference in their lives and thanked attendees for the role that they each play.

Next, retired Rear Admiral Brian Losey took the stage and presented Shannon Sedgewick Davis, philanthropist and best-selling author of To Stop a Warlord, with the distinguished 2019 Navy SEAL Foundation "Fire in the Gut" Award for her dedication to fighting injustice and her determination in helping others. "She has committed her life to negating human suffering, to making life better for people and to traveling to places where the greatest common denominator is human misery," said Losey. "She's been very consistent in her efforts to bring good things to people who need good things to happen to them. I'm very proud to call her teammate."

Upon accepting the award, Ms. Sedgwick Davis thanked those who have made her life's work possible, including her family members who were in attendance. "As someone who has the good fortune of having a supportive spouse and parents at home while I am away, I want to thank the family members of the Naval Special Warfare community and applaud the work of the Navy SEAL Foundation. Their loyalty, dedication and sacrifices do not go unnoticed. The families truly serve the broader mission in ways that can never be quantified," said Ms. Sedgwick Davis.

After dinner, Rear Admiral (SEAL) Sean Pybus, USN, (Ret.) chairman of the Navy SEAL Foundation, thanked supporters and then shared a personal story of his connection to the family of SEAL Michael Monsoor, who was killed in action when he made the choice to shield his teammates from an enemy grenade. He then gave a moving tribute to the Fallen members of the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community.

Those in attendance were treated to an entertaining live auction and paddle raise led by Ben Farrell.

Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, delivered the evening's keynote address and was introduced by Co-Chair Bob Loquercio. Ambassador Haley's remarks focused on the sacrifices that military families make in service to the United States, and she emphasized the importance of all Americans promoting inclusiveness and tolerance for those who are different. "There are so many more things that we have in common than there are things that separate us," said Haley. "There is no better country in the world...it's not even close. And for that we can thank the Navy SEALs, we can thank the families who love and support them, and we can thank the Navy SEAL Foundation which does so much to honor our warriors and support their families."

Notable attendees of the event included Veronica and Bob Loquercio, Kristina and Mike McGrath, Former Governor Pat Quinn, Col. Jennifer Pritzker, Jim Cornelison, Representative LaShawn Ford, Mamie and Greg Case, Stacie and Richard Stephenson, Richard Porter, Craig Duchossois, Susan and Rick Lenny, Sandi and Bill Strong, Kristen Hertel and Muneer Satter, Andrew T. Berlin, Ida Sawyer HRW, John Montgomery Bridgeway Foundation, Katie and Brent Gledhill, Shelley and Brett Paschke, Michael Spencer of NEX, Anne and Ty Fahner, Jay Bergman, Todd Ricketts and Sylvie Légère, among others.

For more information about the Navy SEAL Foundation, or to support their mission by donating, please visit: http://www.navySEALfoundation.org

About the Navy SEAL Foundation:
The Navy SEAL Foundation's mission is to provide immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community and its families.

U.S. Navy SEALs have been in sustained combat for over 18 years, performing hazardous work in unforgiving environments at an unrelenting pace. SEALs are currently deployed in over 30+ countries across the globe and can spend up to 270 days each year in harm's way. The Navy SEAL Foundation stands behind these warriors and their families by providing a comprehensive set of programs specifically designed to improve health and welfare, build and enhance resiliency, empower and educate families and provide critical support during times of illness, injury or loss.

Like the community it serves, the Navy SEAL Foundation is a high performing organization committed to excellence. NSF has received eight consecutive 4-Star ratings from Charity Navigator. It is one of less than 70 charities from among more than 9,000 to have earned a perfect score of 100 for our financial health, accountability, and transparency, placing NSF in the top 1% of the rated charities. Ninety-four cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs or is retained for future mission use.

The Navy SEAL Foundation is a 501c3 national non-profit charitable organization. TAX-ID 31-1728910. The Navy SEAL Foundation is a non-federal entity. It is not a part of the Department of Defense or any of its components, and it has no governmental status. For more information, please visit: http://www.navySEALfoundation.org

SOURCE Navy SEAL Foundation