Marklund's Top Hat Ball, "An Evening Along the Nile," broke past fundraising records for the organization with nearly 550 guests helping to raise $540,000 in net proceeds, according to a news release. The event, Marklund's largest fundraiser of the year, took place Jan. 31 in the grand ballroom of the Chicago Marriott Downtown.

Guests enjoyed Egyptian decor and entertainment at the event, which included characters, such as Cleopatra and a live mummy, dancing and henna tattoos.

One of the highlights of the evening was an anonymous donor's $100,000 dollar-for-dollar match during the "Fund-In-Need" paddle-raise portion of the live auction, states the release.

The auction portion of the evening also featured a showing of an originally-produced video highlighting Marklund's aquatic therapy program and its benefits to individuals with developmental disabilities.  

The Foglia Family Foundation, which has supported the aquatic therapy program, received Marklund's Friend of the Year Award, with Vinnie Foglia of North Barrington accepting the honor.

Karen Golden of Naperville presided over the evening's program as the Top Hat Committee chair, announcing that she was stepping down from the roll after three years and handing the baton to Bud and Binna Porter of St. Charles, who will take over next year.