The Misericordia Family Association (MFA) Benefit is an annual fundraising event sponsored by the MFA and supporting the mission of Misericordia. The evening brings together families, friends, supporters and community partners for food, entertainment, friendship, and fundraising. This year’s theme – A Legacy of Love – honors the enduring spirit of Misericordia and its strong foundation which has been shaped by visionary leadership, dedicated staff, and devoted families.

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Location: Soldier Field, 1410 Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, IL 60605

The event is summer cocktail or smart casual attire, such as tailored pants, dresses, collared shirts, and blouses. Jackets are optional. Guests are encouraged to dress comfortably while keeping in mind that portions of the event involve walking within the venue.

Tickets sales ended on June 12th. We cannot accommodate any guests without a previously purchased ticket. 

No physical tickets have been issued for entry to the event. At the Registration/Check-In Table at the United Club, 1st Floor, you will receive a lanyard with your name on it if you or your host provided us with your name. If we don’t have your name or you are a “Guest of”, the Registration staff will provide you with a lanyard. The lanyard will also include the evening’s program, a wayfinding map and QR code for event fundraising activities.

Food & Beverage: 1st Floor United Club (UC1)

There will be food stations and bars (beer, wine, cocktails, N/A beverages) in the 1st Floor United Club for your enjoyment. The expansive menu offers turkey and brisket carving stations, taco and flatbread stations, plus several gluten-free options. This is not a seated dinner nor are there reserved tables. Open seating will feature a plentiful mix of café tables, high-top tables and lounge-style seating on a first-come, first-served basis. United Club food stations will be open on UC1 from 6 – 8:30 p.m.

NEW! Food & Beverage: 1st Floor Mezzanine “Tailgating on the Terrace”

“Tailgating on the Terrace “ is a lively outdoor experience overlooking the stadium. A menu of grab-and-go food and a canned beverage bar sets a fun tone. A live band brings Chicago Blues with a Cajun twist (6 - 6:45 p.m.) and the jumbotron offers livestreaming of the Benefit program. High-top tables and stadium seating allow plenty of space for friends and family to gather.

Memory Lane Lounge, located off the first floor United Club, offers cozy seating and a quiet place to relax, chat with friends and reminisce. The space will feature history videos of past Benefits on the screens, coffee service and a Misericordia Bakery cookie station. There will also be a live sketch artist in the lounge (6 – 7:00 p.m.) doing sketches for a $25 suggested donation. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the lounge. 

There will be a short program from 7 – 7:30 p.m. honoring our Legacy of Love recipient, Madge Erlenbaugh, and her late husband, Bob, followed by the Photo Mosaic tribute to Sister Rosemary Connelly. Jumbotron viewing throughout the evening will include livestream of the Benefit program, sponsor recognition, a special Heartbreakers performance, a Bob & Madge Erlenbaugh slide show, and the Sister Rosemary Photo Mosaic tribute.

Following the Benefit program, join us on the 3rd Floor for dessert, additional bars and a photo booth. There will be dancing and a selfie station under the beautiful Stadium Colonnades, with exceptional views of the city! A Resident Dance Party is at 8 p.m.

Fundraising opportunities will be available throughout the night. Funds raised at the event will help support the construction and furnishing of the Mary Therese Lieb Community Center to be built in the center of campus starting this fall. Fundraising activities include: 

• No-Paddle Paddle Raise (raising funds to furnish the staff lounge in the new Community Center)

• Silent Auction (located in the 1st floor United Club, with online bidding through GiveSmart)

• Art from the Heart, Misericordia residents’ artwork (located in the 1st floor United Club, with online bidding through GiveSmart)

• NEW! Mystery Suitcase Raffle – take a chance on winning one of seven “mystery prizes (located in the 1st floor United Club) 

• Raffles (located in the 1st floor United Club)

• Giving Tree donations to directly support Misericordia programs and residences (located on the 3rd floor and online through GiveSmart)

• “Buy it Now” gift cards (located on the 3rd floor and opens at 7:30 p.m. after the program)

Yes. There is “easy in, easy out” complimentary garage parking at Soldier Field, 1410 Special Olympics Drive, Chicago. Upon arrival, follow the signage and park in the North Garage, Level 3. Walk directly into the United Club entrance. 

Directions to Soldier Field:

• Of course, the best thing to do is to put Soldier Field or 1410 Special Olympics Dr, Chicago into your navigation app of choice and follow those directions. If you are viewing this on a mobile phone clicking on this link will bring up Google Maps driving directions to the parking garage  entrance: 

Soldier Field Parking Garage North entrance in Google maps.

General directions to Soldier Field include:

• Driving from I-55:  Take I-55, the Stevenson Expressway, northbound to Lake Shore Drive/Highway 41 North. Take Lake Shore Drive north to the 18th Street exit. 

• Driving from I-290:  Take I-290, the Eisenhower Expressway, east to Congress Parkway. Take Congress Parkway to Columbus Drive. Turn right and take Columbus Drive south to the 18th Street exit.

• Driving from I-90/94:  Take I-90/94, the Dan Ryan Expressway, north to Lake Shore Drive/22nd Street exit. Stay to the right and exit to Lake Shore Drive. Take Lake Shore Drive/Highway 41 north to the 18th Street exit.

• From I-94:  Take I-94, the Kennedy Expressway, south to the Congress Parkway exit. Follow Congress Parkway to Columbus Drive. Turn right on and take Columbus Drive south to the 18th Street exit.

The ADA Turn-around:  Google maps link https://maps.app.goo.gl/xPEffjpfcu4DkuoZ8). After drop-off, walk to Gate 14 and take the Elevator to C1.  

Yes. Soldier Field provides accessibility accommodations, including accessible entrances, elevators, ramps, and restrooms. Signage will direct guests at the event. 

Absolutely. Donations are welcome whether or not you attend the event. Please visit:  www.MFABenefit.org