Elm Grove Woman's Club presents $6,000 check to Village for new defibrillators

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credit: photo by Lisabeth Passalis-Bain

cutline: Elm Grove Woman's Club members Barbara Cardenas (at left) and Janice Hauser present a $6,000 check for the purchase of new police squad car defibrillators to Elm Grove Village president Neil Palmer.

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On Tuesday, March 23, Elm Grove Woman's Club president Janice Hauser and Barbara Cardenas, chairwoman of the club's 2009 Chandelier Ball gala fund-raiser, presented a $6,000 check to Elm Grove Village president Neil Palmer during a public meeting of the Board of Trustees.

The funds will be used to purchase four new defibrillators for use in Elm Grove Police Department squad cars.

A crowd of 150 attended the 50th Anniversary Chandelier Ball last December (a 50% increase from the prior year) where more than $14,000 was raised, making the event one of the most successful in its history and occuring during the club's 70th anniversary celebration (1939-2009.)

The clubhouse, 13885 Watertown Plank Rd., Elm Grove, was purchased in 1954. In 1959 an exquisite crystal chandelier was ordered for the center area of the ballroom. A formal dance---"The Chandelier Ball"--- was held to acquire funds for the fixture's purchase. The chandelier was "paid in full" that evening, and, since then, the event has become the club's major social event/ fund-raiser each December.

Members of the club take great pride in focusing their efforts on the educational, civic, social and charitable concerns of our community and beyond, providing funding and durable goods to many deserving groups and causes.

Barbara Cardenas attributes the success of the 2009 Chandelier Ball to an overwhelming community spirit.

"At an economic time when expectations (for fund-raising) run low, the committed generosity of our community members made the difference. Members like Don and Nora Dreske's Clinicare brought in the much sought after 15-member orchestra Swing Nouveau; Elm Grove Sendik's (the Balistrieri family) helped sponsor a popular Sendik's tenderloin dinner; The Olive Garden provided substantial savings; Ellen Zilli's Catering provided an extraordinary dessert free-of-charge," Cardenas said.

Numerous area businesses including Elm Grove Travel, Holtzman Furs, and The Green Frog provided silent auction items. More than 100 donors contributed to the event. A complete list can be found at www.egwc.org.

At the end of the evening it was noted that the event was so enjoyable that many attendees did not want to leave. Each partier exited the Ball with a crystal chandelier ornament piece to commemorate the event.

President Janice Hauser remarked: "Now that's a party!"