CHICAGO, Sept. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Thursday evening the Hilton Ballroom at 720 S. Michigan Avenue was taken over by hundreds of patriots, executives, and heroes as friends and supporters of the Navy SEAL Foundation gathered together for the 2018 Midwest Evening of Tribute.

This yearly Chicago event, which draws attendance from all over the Midwest, recognizes the courage, commitment and sacrifices of the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community, giving citizens an opportunity to show their gratitude and support for these outstanding warriors and families. This year's event raised 5 million dollars in support of the Navy SEAL Foundation's mission—an astounding amount which includes a one million dollar matching gift from Ken Griffin, Founder of Citadel Investments.

The evening began with a VIP roundtable discussion and cocktail reception. The discussion was lead by Bill Strong, Chairman and Managing Director of Longford Capital Management, and participants included Retired Vice Admiral (SEAL) Robert S. Harward who covered current affairs and shared personal stories with those in attendance.

As the beautifully decorated second-floor ballroom opened, guests made their way to their tables and viewed the presentation of the Colors by the Chicago Police Department's Honor Guard. Next, Petty Officer First Class Steven Powell, USN, (Ret.) sang a moving rendition of the National Anthem.

The evening's Co-Chairman Bill Strong graciously welcomed attendees. Strong, whose wife Sandi co-chaired with him, shared the importance of events such as the Midwest Evening of Tribute and mission of the Navy SEAL Foundation and recognized attending military members, NSW members and their families, Gold Star and Surviving family members, and the evening's honored guests. Robin King, Chief Executive Officer of the Navy SEAL Foundation, followed Strong and spoke about the mission of the Foundation, its myriad of programs, and the unbreakable bond between the Foundation and the warriors and families it supports.

Robin and Mike Zafirovski, well-known philanthropists and supporters of the Foundation were presented with the distinguished 2018 Navy SEAL Foundation Patriot Award by Mr. Strong for their unwavering support, loyalty, perseverance, and determination in helping others. "As individuals and as a family, Robin and Mike serve others in all they do and are called to a higher duty – serving humanity," said Strong. Upon accepting the award, both Robin and Mike spoke of patriotism, and what it means to their family. They thanked their children Matt, Kirk and Todd, who were all in attendance, for their example and they expressed their gratitude for being honored by the Foundation.

"It's terrific to share this evening with so many great supporters of the Navy SEAL Foundation and, most especially, with our family and close friends. In many ways, this award belongs jointly to all of you who have stood by our side over the years offering financial contributions, partnership, talent and encouragement. We are so impressed by the mission and work of the Navy SEAL Foundation in offering a variety of programs to provide care, education and vital support for our Navy SEALs and their families, and, most especially during critical moments of illness, injury and loss," said Robin Zafirovski.

After dinner, Rear Admiral (SEAL) Garry J. Bonelli, USN, (Ret.) chairman of the Navy SEAL Foundation, welcomed Christina Valentine, Gold Star and Surviving Spouse of Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Thomas J. Valentine, to the stage. Valentine introduced recent Medal of Honor recipient Master Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Britt Slabinski, USN, (Ret.) who gave his remarks.

The crowd paid their respects to the 151 NSW members who have passed away since September 11, 2001, while Petty Officer First Class Steven Powell, USN, (Ret.) sang "Amazing Grace" as the photos and names of the Fallen were scrolled.

Guests were treated to an entertaining live auction led by Gary Metzner who also announced the lucky winner of a 2018 JEEP Wrangler, generously donated by Bob Loquercio and Loquercio Auto Group.

Retired Vice Admiral (SEAL) Robert S. Harward, Jr. delivered the evening's keynote address and was introduced by his daughter, Maggie Worthington. Harward is the Chief Executive Officer of Lockheed Martin United Arab Emirates and a national security expert with combat experience as a SEAL in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, and Bosnia. He shared intimate stories from his 40 years of service and spoke about the unseen sacrifices that our military families make on a daily basis, and he described the anguish of having to choose between the two loves of his life: his family and his service to the nation.

"Our warriors are indispensable to the defense of our nation. The sacrifices their families make are an indispensable part of the mission, and the Navy SEAL Foundation's support to those families is impossible to quantify or overestimate," said Harward before thanking the audience for their support.

Former SEAL and current vice chairman of the Navy SEAL Foundation, Micheal Martin recited the SEAL Ethos before Bill Strong closed out the event.

Notable attendees of the event included Muneer Satter, Bill Strong, Joe Scoby, Mary and Thomas Bagley, Veronica and Bob Loquercio, Dan Tiemann, Bill Kunkler, Bon French, David Storch, Bruce Young, Reeve Waud, Greg Cappelli, Richard Porter, Cindy and Bob Mayo, Bryan Cressey, Jackie and Kenny Brody, Shawn Fagan, Sherry Lea and Rick Holson, Liz and David Chandler, Yvette and Lou Klobuchar, Jim Cornelison, and JoAnna Sohovich, among others.

This year's Midwest Evening of Tribute Co-chairs were Sandi and Bill Strong. Trident Chairs were Jacqueline and Kenneth Brody, Kenneth Griffin, Sherry Lea and Richard S. Holson, III and Robin and Mike Zafirovski. Event Co-chairmen were Mary and Thomas Bagley, Jay Franke and David Herro, the Lakonishok Family, Veronica and Bob Loquercio, Leslie and Michael Martin, Lori and M. Jude Reyes, Lydia and Patrick G. Ryan, Shirley and Patrick G. Ryan, and Kristen Hertel and Muneer Satter. The event Vice-chairmen were The Boeing Company, Liz and Dave Chandler, Bryan C. Cressey and Cressey and Company, the Crown Family, Patricia and Vincent Foglia, Edward F. Heil, Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, KPMG, Cindy and Robert Mayo, Joann and Tom Prescott, Cary and Michael J. Sacks, and Jeffrey Silverman and Scott Silverman. Admiral Sponsors this year included AON, The Blackstone Group Foundation, Rita and John Canning, Janet and Craig Duchossois, Cindy and Chris Galvin, Amy and Jonathan Gray, Annie and Gregory K. Jones, Yvette and Lou Klobuchar, Motorola Solutions, Shelley and Brett Paschke, Jeanne and John Rowe, The Ted Schwarz Family Foundation, Karen and Jon Skinner, and Toyota Motor Sales USA. .

About the Navy SEAL Foundation:
The Navy SEAL Foundation's mission is to provide immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community and its families.

U.S. Navy SEALs have been in sustained combat for over 17 years, performing hazardous work in unforgiving environments at an unrelenting pace. SEALs are currently deployed in over 30+ countries across the globe and can spend up to 270 days each year in harm's way. The Navy SEAL Foundation stands behind these warriors and their families by providing a comprehensive set of programs specifically designed to improve health and welfare, build and enhance resiliency, empower and educate families and provide critical support during times of illness, injury or loss.

Like the community it serves, the Navy SEAL Foundation is a high performing organization committed to excellence. NSF has received seven consecutive 4-Star ratings from Charity Navigator. It is one of less than 70 charities from among more than 9,000 to have earned a perfect score of 100 for our financial health, accountability, and transparency, placing NSF in the top 1% of the rated charities. Ninety-four cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs or is retained for future mission use.

The Navy SEAL Foundation is a 501c3 national non-profit charitable organization. TAX-ID 31-1728910. The Navy SEAL Foundation is a non-federal entity. It is not a part of the Department of Defense or any of its components, and it has no governmental status. For more information, please visit: http://www.navySEALfoundation.org

SOURCE Navy SEAL Foundation