A scene from an auction during the 2019 Keefe Kares celebration. On Nov. 6, the auctions were virtual.
Local magician Tristan Crist performed during “The Magic of Giving,” which aired live from Crist’s own theater, 100 N. Edwards Blvd., Lake Geneva.
The Nov. 6 livestream version of the Keefe Kares celebration raised over $42,000 for local food pantries and nonprofits.
Titled “The Magic of Giving,” the Keefe Kares Foundation event adopted a new format, broadcasting on YouTube Live.
It featured silent and live auctions, a paddle raise and entertainment by renowned magician Tristan Crist, who hosted the event at his magic theater.
The foundation, which is the charitable arm of Keefe Real Estate, decided to change from the traditional in-person event.
“We’re excited that we could still host our annual Keefe Kares celebration and the generous donations we received during the event will help support our local organizations,” said Tom Keefe, president and CEO of Keefe Real Estate. “We are grateful for the support of our sponsors, as well as the Keefe Kares board members and staff that helped pull together this year’s event.”
The Keefe Kares mission is to support local nonprofits that work to improve their direct communities.
Its annual event helps 35-plus nonprofit organizations in Southeastern Wisconsin and McHenry County in Illinois, in areas where Keefe conducts real estate brokerage business.
Presenting sponsors of this year’s event were Engerman Contracting, Inc., a custom home builder creating distinctive homes throughout the Lake Geneva region, and Kunes Country Auto Group, an auto dealer focused on faith, family and giving back throughout Illinois and Wisconsin.
Additional event sponsors included Sottrel Hotel Group, Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation, Dreiske Moving & Storage, Sweet & Maier, s.c., First Midwest Bank of McHenry, Tri-County Home Inspection, LLC, Southeastern Title, LLC, Wells Fargo Private Mortgage, Draper & Kramer, and First Business Bank.
For those that were unable to attend the virtual event and for those wanting to make a contribution, donations can be made by visiting www.keefekares.com.
For more information about the Keefe Kares celebration or the Keefe Kares Foundation, contact Katrina Lasch at 262-348-3215 or katrinal@keeferealestate.com.
Davidson Hall demolition
Davidson Hall, the administrative headquarters of the Northwestern Military and Naval Academy in the town of Linn, comes down in 2000, five years after the academy was closed.
Davidson Hall
Davidson Hall, the administrative headquarters of the Northwestern Military and Naval Academy, was featured in a 1970s horror movie.
Elenore Roosevelt, Davidson Hall
Former First Lady Elenore Roosevelt, right, visits her grandson, Curtis “Buzz” Roosevelt, center, while he was a student at the Northwestern Military and Naval Academy in the Town of Linn.
Northwestern Military and Naval Academy marching band
Members of the Northwestern Military and Naval Academy marching band pose outside of the school’s Davidson Hall administration building during the academy’s 80-year run in the town of Linn.
Northwestern Military and Naval Academy marching band
Students from the Northwestern Military and Naval Academy participate in a parade through downtown Lake Geneva at a time when the academy was thriving in the town of Linn.
Northwestern Military and Naval Academy rubble
Pieces of concrete and brick of Davidson Hall, the former school building of the Northwestern Military and Naval Academy, which was demolished in 2000 to make room for the South Shore Club development in the Town of Linn. The pieces and other historical items are located in an exhibit of the academy in the Geneva Lake Museum in Lake Geneva.
