Max Schewitz Fundraiser 2009

MORE THAN $125,000 RAISED FOR MAX SCHEWITZ FOUNDATION
   
Maxtravaganza, the annual fundraiser benefiting the Max Schewitz Foundation, once again drew a sell-out crowd of 400 guests to Lake Forest Sportscars on June 20, 2009. 

More than $125,000 was raised during the evening's silent auction and live auctions led by charity auctioneer David Goodman of Auction Results. Guests bid on live auction items that included a CitationAir Jet Card valued at $21,000, a Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Reveil Globe watch, and a custom Bespoke suit by Tom James. Dr. Sandy Goldberg of NBC5 emceed the fundraiser while guests enjoyed a meal provided by local restaurateurs, including the Daily Grind, Francesca’s, the Grille on Laurel, South Gate Café, Wildfire, Trattoria Pomigliano, Jennie and Vera’s Cookies, Cricket’s Confections and Maria’s Bakery. 

The foundation is named for Max Schewitz, of Lake Bluff, who died in September 2005 at the age of 20 from sudden cardiac arrhythmia, having shown no prior signs of a heart disorder. In 2006, Dr. David and Mary Beth Schewitz, Max's family and friends, created the Max Schewitz Foundation which works for two causes -- to protect threatened reptile species, which was a passion of Max's, and to help prevent the death of young adults due to sudden cardiac events. 

So far, the Lake Bluff-based foundation – in collaboration with Dr. Eli Lavie of North Shore Cardiologists-has provided free electrocardiogram (EKG) tests to students in Libertyville Lake Forest, Deerfield, Lakes and North Chicago high schools. Students at Vernon Hills, Antioch and Glenbrook North and South high schools are among those scheduled for the next school year.
The EKG screening helps identify students at-risk of sudden cardiac death and increase the public awareness of this issue. Of the 5,300 students tested since the program began, 86 had results outside normal limits and were recommended for further evaluations.
For more information, visit the Foundation’s Web site at www.maxandthewildthings.com or call (847) 234-2206. 


Here is a partial list of donors:

La Samanna 

CitationShares

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse

Henriot

Midwest Orthopaedics

Lifelock

Razny Jewelers

Park 52 Chicago 

The Maurice Lacroix Cooking School with Celebrity Chef Nick Stellino

Maurice Lacroix

The Four Seasons Chicago

The Ritz Carlton Chicago

The Talbott Hotel

Knauz Auto Group

Pascal Pour Elle

Chicago Bears

Marriott Hotels

Autobahn Country Club

Tom James