Pillars Ball to Raise Funds for Mental Health, Addiction Services

Pillars, the La Grange Park-based organization that serves more than 10,000 clients annually with mental health, abuse, addiction and housing challenges, will hold its annual gala Saturday to raise funds for the upcoming year. 

Formed through the July 2006 merger of Community Care Options (1928) and Pillars Community Services (1968), Pillars provides community-based services for individuals and families who are facing challenges and crisis. 

Pillars offers mental health, children and family services, addiction services, domestic and sexual violence services and works on community housing initiatives using a "community wraparound approach" with a wide spectrum of "fully-integrated" opportunities for support, according to the Pillars website.

Schreiner said Pillars will train volunteers on first aid practices and symptoms of mental illness, so they're better equipped to help first responders without hesitation. One of her major goals is to work to engage to community to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness, she added.

Pillars will also spend time educating other nonprofits on what it's like to live with a mental illness, Schreiner added.

The Bollywood-themed event will showcase the Bollywood influence on the arts, cuisine and fashion with interactive elements and some exotic flavors, according to Pillars. The Ball will also play host to a casino-style gaming lounge, a live and silent auction, and live music and dancing. 

Special guest and Honorary Pillars Ball Chair Mark Suppelsa from WGN-TV News will be recognized at the ball for his efforts to reduce the stigma associated with addiction, according to Pillars. 

Pillars has locations in La Grange Park, Berwyn, Hickory Hills, Summit, Western Springs and Hodgkins. For more information, go to the Pillars website.

The event begins at 6 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets online, click here.

Other weekend happenings in the La Grange area: