Richard and Roxy Pepper of Barrington were recently honored with Spirit of Compassion awards at the Swedish Covenant Hospital Foundation Board’s 2011 Annual Benefit Gala. This award recognizes outstanding individuals who have had a tremendous impact on the lives of many over the years. The Peppers have been generous donors to the hospital, located on the north side of Chicago, and have helped make the physical facility what it is today through their company, Pepper Construction.

The Yelda family of Chicago was also honored with a Spirit of Compassion Award. The Yeldas established a large bequest to Swedish Covenant Hospital and as a result the hospital named its newly remodeled emergency department after them.

The gala, themed "The Masquerade" and held October 29 at Navy Pier in Chicago, raised more than $862,000 for the hospital’s Surgical Services unit. The funds will be used to upgrade the unit’s state-of-the-art equipment, including its robotic and orthopedic instruments.

Robert H. Jordan, Jr., of WGN-TV, emceed the event, which was attended by nearly 1,000 mask-adorned guests including major donors, hospital physicians and community leaders. For more information, visit www.SwedishCovenantFoundation.org/gala.