ON CLOUD NINE
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2026
Open Bar | Music & Dancing | Light Fare
Celebrating 26 Years of
Partnership
About On Cloud Nine
When the Barnett family hosted the first On Cloud Nine in 2001, Horizons served about 50 students in grades K-8. This academic year, we are providing assistance to 209 students from kindergarten into college and post-secondary career entry. With nearly $7 million raised, this event has been instrumental in the expansion of our services and the support of our students!
This event is special because it brings together and helps us celebrate Horizons for Youth’s community of advocates, volunteers and stakeholders. This community has been with us since we started in 1991 and is a major reason why On Cloud Nine has had such an incredible impact on our program. At On Cloud Nine we celebrate what we can accomplish when we all work together.
We are grateful to the Barnett and Heath families who established On Cloud Nine, and continue to be such close friends of Horizons for Youth.
Please join us for a fantastic evening that will help advance our mission to transform children’s lives with targeted resources, rooted in education, in partnership with their families and the Horizons for Youth community.
Sponsor the Event
On Cloud Nine has raised over $7M over 25 years, enabling Horizons for Youth to grow from 50 students in 2001 to over 200 students, kindergarten through college, today.
This event has been a resounding success thanks to the generosity of our donors. We ask you to consider joining our efforts by becoming a sponsor of the 26th annual On Cloud Nine. Sponsors receive exclusive benefits such as event tickets, premium lounge access, features at the event, and more!
2026 Event Committee
HOST COMMITTEE
Kent Barnett
Phil Barnett & Colleen Philbin
Anne & Rocky Carey
Patrick & Helena Collins
Laura & Steve Derks
Greg Desmond & Mike Segobiano
Greg & Julie Dingens
Jeanne & John Gallo
Kathy Murdock & Pat Doyle
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Dylan Barnett*
Lauren Barnett*
Zach Barnett*
Lillia Blasius
Matt Gallo*
Annika Knuth
Leo Latz*
KC Maddock
Cate Murdock
Packy Murdock
Elaina VanLoon
Ian Waller
Hannah Weigel
Our 2025 Sponsors
American Backhoe Service & Excavating Co.
Anonymous
The Barnett Family
Anne and James Carey
Chicago Board of Trade
The Derks Family
Greg Desmond and Michael Segobiano
Julie and Greg Dingens
Cara and Brian Doyle
E78 Partners
Exelon
Fenwick Alumni
Fresh Wave
Jeanne and John Gallo and Family
Gilbane Building Company
The Horrigan Family
Jackson National
The Kinne Family
Kim and Ron Lemar
Kathy Murdock and Patrick Doyle
Colleen Philbin and Phil Barnett
Rex Carton Company
Robert D. Stearnes Foundation
Salvi, Schostock and Pritchard
Sidley Austin LLP
The Sir Family
St. Giles Alumni
Lydia and Patrick Ryan
Vogue Tyre & Rubber Company
William Blair
Winston & Strawn LLP
Event’s History
On Cloud Nine was founded in 2001 to honor the memory of Paige Barnett, who passed away at the age of 18 months on February 4, 2000. The event, established by Paige’s parents, Kent Barnett and Lauren Heath, supports the children of Horizons for Youth. On Cloud Nine also now pays tribute to Lauren Heath, who passed away in July of 2015, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.
Our work would not be possible without our generous supporters. To donate to Horizons for Youth and keep the legacy of Lauren and Paige alive, please visit our donate page below.