Humanitarian Award Dinner

Humanitarian Award Dinner Honoring Liz and Kent Dauten

May 15, 2025

$11.6 Million

See highlights from the 2025 Humanitarian Awards Dinner!

  • Big Shoulders Fund
  • Big Shoulders Fund
  • Big Shoulders Fund
  • Big Shoulders Fund
  • Big Shoulders Fund
  • Big Shoulders Fund
  • Big Shoulders Fund
  • Big Shoulders Fund
  • Big Shoulders Fund
  • Big Shoulders Fund
  • Big Shoulders Fund
  • Big Shoulders Fund
  • Big Shoulders Fund
  • Big Shoulders Fund
2025 Award Dinner Photo Album

Missed the 2025 Humanitarian Award Dinner?
Click the links below to watch the celebration!

Part 1
Part 2

Read special coverage on the Humanitarian Award Dinner by the Make It Better Foundation

Make It Better Foundation Coverage

2025 Humanitarian Awards Committee

Special thanks to these individuals for their commitment to the Big Shoulders Fund:

Steering Committee 

  • Kent Dauten, Honoree
  • Monsignor Ken Velo   
  • Gerald Beeson   
  • John Canning 
  • Elizabeth Cole   
  • Lee Henderson 
  •  Steve King   
  • Larry Richman   
  • Beth White 

Arrangements Committee 

  • Elizabeth Cole, Co-Chair   
  • Ellen O’Connor, Co-Chair 
  • Martha Abbinante 
  • Jennifer Beeson 
  • Maria Braham
  • Clarisol Duque 
  • Kristina Kelleher  
  • Kim Henderson 
  • Danielle Hoeg 
  • Leigh-Anne Kazma
  • Christy King  
  • Eileen Murphy  
  • Sue Sullivan  
  • Jennifer Tengelsen  
  • Beth White 

For more information on this one-of-a-kind event, please contact Amelia Drozda (312.751.3850).

Previous Award Dinners

2023 Humanitarian Award Dinner Honoring Lindy and Mike Keiser

$10 Million

2021 Humanitarian Award Dinner Honoring Teachers, Principals, and School Staff

$11.2 Million

2018 Humanitarian Award Dinner Honoring Kimberly Querrey and Lou Simpson

$14.1 Million

2016 Humanitarian Award Dinner Honoring Josh Hale, President and CEO of Big Shoulders Fund

$12.5 Million

2014 Humanitarian Award Dinner Honoring Monsignor Kenneth Velo

$10.6 Million

2012 Big Shoulders Fund
25th Anniversary Celebration

$6.25 Million

2008 Humanitarian Award Dinner Honoring Rita and John Canning

$1.6 Million