Anthony and Sandra Guaccio of Homewood were the chairs of the Swedish Covenant Hospital Foundation Board’s 2011 Annual Benefit Gala held at Navy Pier on Oct. 29. The gala, themed The Masquerade, was a tremendous success, raising more than $862,000 for the Chicago 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.

The event honored philanthropists Richard and Roxy Pepper and the Yelda family as this year’s Spirit of Compassion Award recipients. 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 and have helped make the physical facility what it is today through their company, Pepper Construction. The Yeldas established a large bequest to Swedish Covenant Hospital and as a result the hospital named its newly remodeled emergency department after them.

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.