Oak Park Arts District Business Association president, Pamela Penney (Pamela Penney Textile Arts, 130 Harrison), and board member, Karen Light (Studio Light, 27G Harrison), presented a check for $1000 to United Cerebral Palsy (www.ucpnet.org).  The donation is from funds raised during the very successful “Mardi Gras on Harrison” event held on February 24, 2009.  

The party was hosted at Trattoria 225, and organized by OPAD members,  Karen Light and Craig Charlton (Trattoria 225, 225 Harrison). Roughly 200 people were in attendance for the festive event featuring unique offerings of nearly 20 businesses from OPAD, delicious food from Trattoria 225 and Briejo (211 Harrison) and belly dancers led by teacher Samantha Brenneman (Intuit Dance, 237 Harrison).  

“It was great to see the place full and buzzing with energy on Fat Tuesday,” said Craig Charlton about the event.

United Cerebral Palsy has a facility right on Harrison (Julius and Betty Levinson Building at 332 W. Harrison St.).  Ned Wagner, the supervisor of that location, was happy to accept the donation.  He was accompanied Jessica Wood, Mark Walker, and Andrew Wesson, who take advantage of the Levinson Center’s adult day training classes.  Ned said the event felt like an indoor street fair — a fun party for a great cause.  The rest of the event’s proceeds go to support OPAD’s arts festivals.