10 Years of Art Helps Heal: A Day to Remember at Ruth’s Chris

On Sunday, October 4, 2026 Art Helps Heal hosted a special fundraiser at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in South Barrington. It was a warm, joyful evening surrounded by some of our most loyal supporters, all coming together to celebrate our mission and our 10th anniversary.

Throughout the night, guests enjoyed great food, meaningful conversations, and a shared sense of purpose. We were fortunate to receive many generous donations for our silent auction, which turned out to be a huge success; every single item was sold! The energy in the room reflected just how deeply our community believes in bringing creative healing to young hearts.

One of the highlights of the evening was a hands-on drawing activity led by Shirley. This simple, engaging exercise gave everyone a personal glimpse into how art can comfort, calm, and empower children facing medical challenges. It was a powerful reminder of why Art Helps Heal exists and how creativity can support emotional healing.

We were also excited to welcome our new patient advisor, Drew, who joined us for the event. Drew’s insight and experience will help us better understand and support the children and families we serve as we move into our next decade.

We are still receiving donations from the event, and we are deeply grateful for every gift—large or small. While we’re not sharing a specific fundraising total, we can say with confidence that the impact of this evening goes far beyond numbers. It strengthened our community, renewed our commitment, and set the stage for the next 10 years of Art Helps Heal.

To everyone who attended, donated, bid in the auction, or supported from afar: thank you. Your generosity helps us continue bringing creative healing to young hearts, one art kit and one child at a time.