Casino Royale: Betting on the Purse Gala

Get ready to experience an unforgettable night of elegance, intrigue, and high-stakes excitement at the "Love Purse Casino Royale: Betting on the Purse" Gala! The event will take place on Thursday, October 2nd, at the beautiful Wilder Mansion in Elmhurst, Illinois. This year's event offers you the chance to step into a world inspired by the thrill of James Bond. The evening will feature entertainment, signature cocktails and mocktails, delicious hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine, a raffle, and an amazing silent auction.

The funds raised from the gala will help further the Love Purse mission of "putting love on the shoulders of women in need, one #LovePurse at a time." This involves purchasing new purses and full-sized toiletries to gift to women in need. Each purse is thoughtfully filled with inspiration and the aim of making every woman feel loved, valued, and respected. Let's unite and make a difference in the lives of these women with an evening of fun, glamour, and impact all rolled into one.

Event Details

October 2, 2025

6:00 PM

Wilder Mansion

211 S. Prospect, Elmhurst, IL 60126

Purchase Gala Tickets Here

Keynote Speaker

Rashied Davis – NFL Veteran, Community Leader & Speaker

Rashied Davis is a former NFL wide receiver and current community advocate, dedicated to empowering underserved youth and expanding access to opportunity. A Los Angeles native, Rashied graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in Sociology and went on to play professionally for the San Jose Sabercats (Arena Football League), the Chicago Bears, and the Detroit Lions. His NFL career includes multiple playoff appearances, an NFC Championship, and a trip to the 2007 Super Bowl.

In 2010, Rashied and his wife, Dianna, founded Saturday Place, a nonprofit academic enrichment program for third and fourth-grade Chicago Public School students performing below grade level. Saturday Place offers a safe, engaging space where students grow academically and gain the confidence to reach their full potential.

Rashied also serves on the board of HIRE360 Chicago, helping to diversify Chicago’s trades and construction industries through mentorship, business development, and workforce training.

A seasoned speaker, Rashied has delivered powerful keynotes for organizations including Allstate, Chicago Bears, Comcast, HIRE360, and Wings, inspiring audiences with his message of perseverance, purpose, and impact.

Today, Rashied continues to give back through volunteer work with local government and youth sports organizations in Illinois, where he and Dianna are raising their two children.

Honorary Gala Co-Chairs

Cathy Traczek

Michelle Mekky

Cathy Traczek is an accomplished executive in customer care, having successfully led regional teams to reduce customer escalations and enhance overall customer experience. She is also a dedicated volunteer and advocate for Love Purse and actively supports numerous nonprofit organizations.

Michelle Mekky

Michelle Mekky is an award-winning broadcast journalist, PR executive, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and Forbes blogger. She founded Mekky Media Relations, Inc., a boutique PR agency noted for its rapid growth and work with a range of clients across the US.