Fundraiser

In the past 39 years, Northwestern University Dance Marathon has raised more than $14 million for more than thirty different worthy and important beneficiaries. Now, for the 40th anniversary of the all student led 30-hour dance event, NUDM is taking on the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and dancing for Team Joseph.

The Children's Oncology Services, Inc., strives to provide programs throughout the year that allow kids with cancer to just be kids. On March 6th, they will be hosting their annual Charity Poker Championship at the National Hellenic Museum. Over 270 players will compete for approximately $15,000 in prizes including the coveted Grand Prize: a seat at the 2014 World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas!

We all know Chicago is the home to the greatest sports fans, hotdogs, and deep dish pizza. But, many people do not realize it is also the birthplace of the Special Olympics movement, changing the lives of individuals with disabilities for over 45 years. Today, the Chicago area chapter of Special Olympics is one of the largest in the world and serves over 5,000 athletes.

Each year, for one exciting evening, the magic of Mardi Gras travels north to Chicago for the Blackboard Affair Masquerade Ball. This event benefits Working in the Schools (WITS), a local organization that promotes literacy and a love of learning in Chicago Public School elementary students through a volunteer-powered, outcomes-based portfolio of programs.

Youth violence, dropping out of high school, homelessness. These are the real-life struggles that kids growing up in some Chicago neighborhoods face every day. And they aren’t going away any time soon without your help. How can you make a difference? Join us on March 8th at the Spin to Break the Cycle event.

With Chiberia coming and going as it pleases, we’re not the only ones who need to bundle up and stay warm! Let’s not forget our furry friends that we snuggle next to over the weekend or when we get that snow day from school and work! They’re happy and warm at your house, but there are many more who aren’t as lucky as your faithful furry friend.

Listen up football fans, foodies and philanthropists! This is Sara from Ripple Public Relations, and I have the scoop on an awesome event to help raise money for the Chicago chapter of Stand Up For Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending youth homelessness by providing outreach, supplies and support.

Woody’s Winter Warm-Up is a great way to kick off 2014 and celebrate Cubs Convention Weekend. Once again we will have local celebrities and media personalities guest bartending and competing for tips to help raise money for the Wood Family Foundation. Stop by and try our special tequila cocktail Harry Caray’s is serving up at all locations called “Woody’s Smokin Pitch” that will give proceeds back to the foundation. In addition, we will have a silent auction with a lot of sports memorabilia and unique experiences.

My husband David may have been traded to another team, but that does not stop us from returning home and hosting a charity fundraiser with his former teammates. The David DeJesus Family Foundation has teamed up with Cubs Charities to host “Strike a Chord” Celebrity Karaoke to benefit ALS research, a disease which has affected our close friend Brian Schnurstein. The event will feature David, myself, Ryan Chiaverini (Windy City LIVE), Jeff Hoover (WGN), B96 Morning Show team, Danni Allen (winner of Biggest Loser) and Cubs players teaming up with local media personalities and Chicagoans to compete on the microphone. In addition to cocktails, food will be provided by American Junkie, Chicago Q, Siena Tavern, Wow Bao and GT Fish & Oyster.

So, the Bears didn’t make it to the playoffs this year (insert sad face,) but you can help spread some good juju for next year and help a film come to fruition. "Bear Down" the documentary produced and directed by Chicago local Joseph Martinez is a true account of the relationships and family bonds surrounding the dedication of the game. The film is inspired by his own personal attributes with his father and enjoying games.