CHICAGO--Oral Health America has announced that Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley will serve as Honorary Chairman for its 17th Annual Gala Dinner and Silent Auction from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Feb. 22 at Navy Pier in Chicago.
The event will raise funds to support educational and service programs designed to improve oral health.
Mayor Daley was chosen by Time Magazin in its April 25, 2005, issue as the best out of five mayors of large cities in the United States. He has presided over such successes as the resurgence in tourism, the modernization of the Chicago Transit Authority, the building of Millennium Park, increased environmental efforts, and the rapid development of the city's North Side.
According to Dr. Mary Hayes, gala chair and a Chicago pediatric dentist, OHA is delighted to have the Mayor as the gala's Honorary Chairman. "The Mayor has worked to ensure that school children in Chicago are free of dental disease," said Hayes, "and funds raised from the gala make it possible for OHA to continue its school-based oral health programs."
OHA, a nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to improving oral health for all Americans for 50 years, has provided more than $200,000 to the Chicago Oral Health Program, a cooperative effort between the Chicago Department of Public Health and Chicago Public Schools.
The program has expanded from approximately 30 schools in 2004 to more than 260 schools in spring 2006, with plans to reach every school-aged child in the city within two years.
The Oral Health America Gala, held each year during the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, is one of the dental industry's premier networking events. This year's theme is "Connect in Chicago."
Tickets are $250 each; a table for 10 can be purchased for $2,200. For tickets or information on sponsorships and donations, contact Joe Donohue at OHA at (312) 836-9900 or by e-mail at [email protected].
