Waterton Residential was on hand for Mercy Housing Lakefront’s 2014 Moving Forward Together Celebration at Chase Auditorium. Themed “Creating Hope for Veterans,” the fundraiser honored several individuals for their work in providing affordable homes and services to veterans in the Chicago and Milwaukee areas. Snapped: Waterton co-founder Pete Vilim (Waterton was presenting sponsor) with Mercy Housing president Mark Angelini. The evening’s 240 guests and 44 sponsoring companies raised $171,800 to support the “Moving Forward Together” campaign, a 10-year plan that aims to build or preserve 7,500 affordable homes, create 8,000 jobs and prevent homelessness for more than 20,000 individuals.

On an earthier note, Avison Young’s Chicago office came out to support Friends of the Chicago River, an organization dedicated to helping improve the health of the Chicago River system for people and wildlife, as part of a company-wide global day of giving. Pictured: Managing director Danny Nikitas, fourth from right, sleeves rolled up (figuratively) and leading the charge. The team of 52 cut down toxic plants along the North Branch of the river in LaBagh Woods. They also worked in three shifts to clean waste for the river and surrounding woods, getting quite the education about the river’s ecosystem.

As the holidays approach, marissa.oberlander@bisnow.com would love to see pics of your company paying it forward!