PILSEN —The owner of a Pilsen-based design firm will be honored in May for his support of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
Tom Kehoe, president of Kehoe Designs, will be honored with the Community Impact Award at the 30th annual AIDS Foundation of Chicago gala. The gala will be at 6 p.m. May 16 at the Hilton Chicago in the Gold Coast.
Tickets to the gala are on sale for $500. The benefit, hosted by Amy Landecker, star of the TV series "Transparent," includes a vacation auction, live raffle, dinner, dancing and more.
John Peller, president of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, said Kehoe had offered "extraordinary support" to the cause. Besides supporting the foundation as a benefactor and serving on various committees, Kehoe and his design company provided one-of-a-kind designs for the foundation's signature fundraisers, Peller said.
"Kehoe's work puts AFC's events in a strong position to raise funds and offer guests lasting, positive memories — memories reawaken their commitment to AFC and its goal of ending new HIV infections," the foundation said in announcing the award.
"I feel like AFC has embraced my work, shown gratitude and strengthened my connection to the movement," Kehoe said in a statement.
Ernie Rodriguez will also be honored with the Lori Kaufman Volunteer Award at the ceremony in May. Rodriguez, an AIDS Foundation of Chicago board member, gives nearly 150 presentations per year educating community groups on the latest treatment methods.
Kehoe moved his event decor and design firm to Pilsen last year. The 234,500-square-foot warehouse at 2555 S. Leavitt St. includes a large scale event space.
In the process, Kehoe's 19-year-old company vacated four locations, including the firm's headquarters at 2108 W. Walnut St. in the Kinzie Industrial Corridor.
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