The Night Ministry honors individuals, corporations, and organizations who have made significant contributions assisting individuals in Chicago struggling with poverty, homelessness, abuse, loneliness, and neglect at their annual Lighting Up the Night Awards Dinner & Auction every year.

2012 - honored Anne & Bill Goldstein, the Union Church of Hinsdale, and Bonnie Kepplinger for their outstanding service to The Night Ministry.

2011 - we honored The Night Ministry's first President, Reverend Thomas Behrens; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, who has supported us for 20 years; and dedicated Health Outreach Bus volunteer Reverend Charles (Sandy) Rex.

2010 - we honored Quarles & Brady LLP, The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust (JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and James L. Alexander, Co-Trustees), and long-time shelter volunteer Jan Gross Rotter.

2009 - we honored Ellen & Paul Gignilliat, Fourth Presbyterian Church, and The Employees of the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel

2008 - we honored McCormick Foundation, Helen & Dick Thomas, and the Congregation of Anshe Emet.

2007 - we honored ComEd, An Exelon Company, First Slice, and long-time supporters, Chet Gougis & Shelly Ochab.

2006 – we awarded our Lamp Lighter Award to the Lead Donors to our Capital Campaign and volunteer, Matthew Sorenson.

2005 – we honored Kraft Foods, Kenilworth Union Congregation, and volunteer, Jane Sanderson, with our Lamp Lighter Award.

2004 – we recognized long-time supporters of The Night Ministry Karen & Dick Pigott, Sara Lee Foundation, and Elvina Moen with Lamp Lighter Awards.

2003 – we awarded our Lamp Lighter Award to Merisant, Makers of Equal Sweetener, Philip McGuigan, a Trustee of the Francis Asbury Palmer Fund, and a family of volunteers, the Melzer Family.

2002 – we honored Peoples Energy Chairman, Richard Terry, DePaul University President, John Minogue and volunteer, Mory Sanberg, with our Lamp Lighter Award.

2001 – we recognized The Chicago Stock Exchange and Robert Forney, Night Ministry Board Member, with our Lamp Lighter Award.

2000 – we awarded Richard Notebaert, Northern Trust, and The Greater Chicago Food Depository with our Lamp Lighter Award for helping to “light up the night” with their good works.

1998 – we honored Mr. Frederick Becker, President & CEO of the Marmon Group, Inc. with our Luminary Award for his personal and corporate contributions to The Night Ministry.

1997 - we recognized Dr. & Mrs. Andrew Thomson for their service & dedication.

1981 - we awarded Rev. Frederick Trost of St. Pauls United Church of Christ in Chicago The Night Ministry’s Service Award for his work in the church and community. Rev. Trost was also one of the pastors responsible for founding The Night Ministry.