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Browsing all posts tagged with fundraiser.
06/10/13
Cocktails w/ Chicago Bears’ Rashied Davis & Teammates for Education at Rockit!
celebrities, charity, chicago, chicago bears, Food, Football, Fundraiser, General, Homepage Feature, nightlife, restaurants, sports
***UPDATED Monday, June 10th, 2013. Rashied Davis will host this year’s “Cocktails for Education” again at Rockit Bar and Grill – Tuesday June 11th from 6-9pm. For more info and tickets, click HERE!***
Fans of the Bears, helping the community, Education, great food & drink, meeting amazing people… This event is for you!!! Chicago Bears’ Rashied Davis has supported my philanthropic events for art, theatre, feeding poor.. for years.. and I am honored to help him get the word out about how his huge heart has taken it to the next level by hosting his own huge party for a wonderful cause on Tuesday May 17th from 6-8p at Rockit Bar & Grill (22 W. Hubbard)!
This amazing event will support Rashied Davis Charities’ efforts to “teach students how to overcome obstacles to success through inspiration, preparation and discipline.” They help empower the fundamentals of reading, writing and speech to underserved kids teaching them how to apply tools to problem solve, communicate properly and just be an all around contributing member of society. I’m fully on board w/their mission, I have often talked about how communication leads to relationship building which leads to personal growth and opportunities.. And I’m always behind a fun time to help accomplish all of that!
So join us May 17th! You can mingle with a bunch of Chicago Bears like Lance Briggs, Alex Brown, Anthony Adams, Jerry Azumah, Earl Bennett, Johnny Knox… different local celebrities, media, and all around fun supporters from everywhere who just care like you… cocktails, appetizers, silent auction & more… Get your tickets now: http://rashieddavischarities.org/homepage.aspx and I’ll see you there!
Tags: alex brown, anthony adams, bears, bears 2011, billy dec, charity, charity events, chicago, chicago bears, chicago event listing, chicago summer events, earl bennett, football, fundraiser, jerry azumah, johnny knox, lance briggs, rashied davis, rashied davis charities, rockit, rockit bar, rockit bar and grill, silent auction, sports
06/03/13
Joan Cusack & Billy Dec host Piven Theatre Workshop Fundraiser at Sunda & Rockit July 13, 2013
Art, celebrities, charity, chicago, Education, Fundraiser, General, Networking, nightlife, Press, Radio, restaurants, Theater
Click here to listen to the interview: Billy Dec & Joan Cusack Host Piven Theatre Workshop Benefit – WGN Radio
The Piven Theatre Workshop Gala Returns
Piven Alumna & Award-Winning Actress Joan Cusack and Billy Dec Co-Host
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Join award-winning actress and Piven alumna Joan Cusack and Emmy Award winning television contributor and Rockit Ranch CEO Billy Dec, on Saturday, July 13 for a red carpet evening of celebration and reunion with fine dining, cocktails and a spectacular live auction. All proceeds will benefit the Piven Theatre Workshop’s scholarships and outreach programs.
From 6pm-8:30pm, guests will enjoy dinner at the award-winning Sunda (110 W Illinois) with a live auction of exclusive items. From 8pm-11pm, guests are invited to attend the Gala at Rockit Bar & Grill (22 W Hubbard) for signature cocktails, appetizers, sweets and an exciting live and silent auction.
Exclusive auction items include set visits to Mr. Selfridge with round-trip airfare, New York packages with tickets to hit Broadway shows, Saturday Night Live tickets, A VIP package to Jimmy Kimmel Live, Courtside tickets to a Lakers game and more.
In 1971, Byrne and Joyce Piven founded Piven Theatre Workshop, a small acting school in Evanston, Illinois. The nationally acclaimed school and professional theatre stands as a testament to the Pivens’ enduring vision to train, nurture and mentor generations of students and artists, including hosts Joan Cusack who studied improvisation and Billy Dec, who not only took classes with Joyce Piven, but also acted in their last production “The Good Doctor” and was honored with the Byrne Piven Award for Community Service. Proceeds from the night will help continue to nurture students and artists in the programs.
For tickets, visit http://piventheatre.org/. Sunda VIP Dinner tickets (includes Rockit Bar & Grill Gala): Single ticket $300.00 ($250 deductible), Couples ticket (2) $500.00 ($400 deductible), Table of 10 $2500.00 ($2,000 deductible). Rockit Bar & Grill Gala ticket: $150.00 ($100 deductible). Please note, limited seating is available at Rockit Bar & Grill.
Event sponsors include Rockit Ranch Productions, Sunda Restaurant, Rockit Bar & Grill, The Underground, The Peyton Family Foundation and Grey Goose.
ABOUT PIVEN THEATRE WORKSHOP
Piven Theatre Workshop has excelled as a leader in the arts community for 40 years, maintaining a distinguished legacy in the training of children and adults in the theatre arts. Annually, between onsite and off-site programming, the theatre trains over 1,000 students, provides approximately $30,000 in need-based scholarships and maintains a professional theatre and numerous outreach programs throughout the Chicago area. Piven Theatre Workshop is located at 927 Noyes Street, Evanston, IL. Visit them online at www.piventheatre.org, on Facebook at “Piven Theatre Workshop” and on Twitter @piventheatre.
Tags: Alumni, benefit, billy dec, chicago, fundraiser, jeremy piven, Joan Cusack, joyce piven, piven, piven theatre workshop, rockit, rockit bar and grill, rockit ranch, rockit ranch productions, sunda, theatre
04/29/13
Wrist Wishes: Combining a Love of Charity & Fashion
Fashion, charity and hope; that’s what Wrist Wishes is all about. I’m Nicole LaCross and I started Wrist Wishes in August 2012 after my mom successfully beat breast cancer for the second time. I was so inspired by her strength and positive attitude that I wanted to give back to our inspiring Chicagoland community. I started to research various local organizations and realized there were so many inspirational people locally who had dedicated their lives to giving back to a community that gives so much to those in need. I wanted to be a part of this community.
Wrist Wishes donates 40% of its profits directly to the charity that is represented by your bracelet which allows people to not only outwardly show their support to various fantastic causes, but it also allows numerous nonprofit organizations to continue to help those in need. I have teamed up with numerous incredible Chicago-based organizations including: Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Bright Pink, Flashes of Hope Chicago, Gateway To Learning, HEAR Foundation, Heartland Animal Shelter, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund, Jack H. Marston Melanoma Foundation, JDRF Illinois, LUNGevity, PCARF-Pediatric Cancer Awareness & Research Foundation, St. Baldrick’s Foundation, The ALS Association and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
I will be hosting a premier party and charity fundraiser on Friday June 28th at Loft 644 where 100% of the proceeds from the event will benefit all of Wrist Wishes affiliates. Get tickets here. If you’d like to learn more about Wrist Wishes, please visit my website and Etsy store.
I would like to send a huge ‘THANK YOU!’ to all who have been so instrumental in the growth of Wrist Wishes; this truly is a community-based effort and I am sincerely thankful.
-Nicole LaCross
Tags: Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, breast cancer, bright pink, charity, Etsy, fashion, Flashes of Hope Chicago, fundraiser, Gateway To Learning, HEAR Foundation, Heartland Animal Shelter, Hope & Heroes Children's Cancer Fund, Jack H. Marston Melanoma Foundation, JDRF Illinois, local Chicago, LUNGevity, non-profit, non-profit Chicago, PCARF-Pediatric Cancer Awareness & Research Foundation, St. Baldrick's Foundation, The ALS Association, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Wrist Wishes
04/11/13
Dream Gala 2013: Honoring our Struggle, Unveiling our Future
I’ve learned that it’s enough to indulge and be selfish but true gratification comes when you start giving back to your community. Hey Windy City! My name is Christine Chiu and I’m new to Billy Dec’s intern team! As you all know April is full of amazing events, much like the Start Early 5k-10k Walk/Run and the Chicago Improv Festival, but one in particular has reached out and grabbed my attention and I would love to share it with you all– The Dream Gala 2013!
On April 26th be prepared to join me in support of one of the largest fundraising events of the year, the 4th Annual Dream Gala! The theme for the night is Honoring Our Struggles, Unveiling Our Future. The event’s objectives are not only to expand the Dream Scholarship Fund, but to also shed light on the struggles faced by undocumented youth in the hopes of reducing the high college dropout rate. The evening’s program will include hors d’oeuvres, three hours of open bar, live performances, a silent auction and will conclude with the announcement of five Dream Scholarship recipients. Proceeds from this event will help support the Dream Scholarship Fund and the mission of The Anhelo Project.
It’s a “work hard, play hard” kind of event! Come out and support our Chicago youth! Dress your best and get your dancing shoes on, I guarantee you’ll have an amazing night! For more information visit here.
Tags: April events, Chicago Inprov Festival, Chicago local artists, college, community, dance, DePaul, Dream Gala, Dream Gala 2013, Dream Scholarship Fund, Family, fundraiser, Las Palmas, Latinos Progressando, Local, Saucedo Press, silent auction, Start Early 5K-10K Walk/Run, Students, The Anhelo Project
12/01/12
SOUTHSIDE BOXING ICON IN THE FIGHT FOR HIS LIFE!!!
Martin McGarry, native of Co Mayo, Ireland spent his youth fighting for his place among his many brothers and sisters. His teenage years were spent in boxing rings spanning several continents. As an adult he devoted his life to training boxers and taking kids off the streets, giving them an outlet to box and a safe place to channel their energy. Now he is the one in need.
Fighting Amyloidosis, a terminal genetic disease that has already killed his mother and two of his brothers is one fight that you can’t train for. The only medicine available is not yet approved by the FDA, and costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. Martin leaves Monday for Europe, to the only Doctor in the world who will treat him. This treatment comes at a hefty price. And while Martin is loved by all who have ever met him, love alone will not save him; for that we need funding.
The Fight for Martin McGarry Benefit is being held on Sunday December 2nd, 2012 at 115 Bourbon Street from 1-6pm. And while the ultimate goal is to raise funds, the turnout is expected to include the “who’s who” of high profile Chicagoans. Not only is it a fundraiser, it has been coined the ”social networking event of the season”! The raffle prizes include a 5 day cruise on a private yacht in St. Thomas (think rap video wealth with a South Side twist), a Luxury Lincoln MKZ, a 4 day stay in a state of the art oceanfront condo on the white sandy beaches of Ft. Lauderdale, World Class Golf packages and dozens more items you surely must have dahling! Help in the Fight For Martin McGarry, and help us save a life that has devoted his to helping so many. As a wise friend recently said…..Be There or Be a Jerk! Follow us on Twitter for more info and hope to see you there! – Moira Curran
Tags: Amyloidosis, benefit, Bourbon Street, Boxer, boxing, chicago, fundraiser, Ireland, Martin McGarry, Networking, raffle, south side, Terminal Disease, The Fight for Martin McGarry, Weekend
11/01/12
Champs for Charity Good for Players & Fans
It’s a tough time to be a hockey fan. The ongoing lockout doesn’t seem to be near an end at all, games are being canceled handfuls at a time, and the list of players signing overseas continues to grow.
Despite the lockout, players from around the league have been arranging charity games. Last Friday, Adam Burish, former Blackhawk (and current San Jose Shark) arranged Champs for Charities at Allstate Arena with an all-star roster that benefitted Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana – a charity close to the Blackhawks organization.
The game certainly did not disappoint the fans. If anything, it left us all wanting & longing for more. The all-star roster was split into 2 teams: Team Chicago (all current/former Hawks, except for Joe Corvo) vs. Team World (basically players with no ties to Chicago, except for Daniel Carcillo).
Team Chicago consisted of Patrick Sharp, Andrew Ladd, Jake Dowell, Troy Brouwer, Jamal Mayers, Craig Adams, Adam Burish, Patrick Kane, Jim Vandermeer, James Wisniewski, Brian Campbell, Joe Corvo, Craig Anderson and captained by Jonathan Toews. Team World was made up of Bobby Ryan, Greg Campbell, Jordan Staal, Daniel Carcillo, Mike Brown, Antti Miettinen, Shawn Thornton, Ville Leino, Jared Boll, Ryan Suter, Alex Goligoski, Tom Gilbert, Niklas Backstrom and captained by Kimmo Timonen. Robbie Gould, from the Chicago Bears, was the celebrity coach for for Team World and Ryan Dempster, former Cubs pitcher, for Team Chicago.
The game was everything fans wanted: fun, light-hearted and high scoring. During the 3rd period Danny Carcillo jumped over the boards of the Chicago bench and started “fighting” with Dempster. The final score was a tie: 15-15. To determine a winner there was a 5 round shootout with Daniel Carcillo being the final shooter; if he made his shot, World won, if he missed the shootout continued. Carcillo made his shot and proceeded to taunt the Chicago bench at which point Toews jumped over the boards and tackled Carcillo.
In the end, the night was a complete success raising a total of $323,500 for RMHC-CNI – $73,500 over the initial fundraising goal set for the event – and the fans got to see some of their favorite players hit the ice. Go here to see the entire set of pictures from the game.
-Alex Chwastek & Grace Sweeney
Tags: Adam Burish, Alex Goligoski, Anaheim Ducks, Andrew Ladd, Antti Miettinen, Bobby Ryan, Boston Bruins, brian campbell, Carolina Hurricanes, Champs for Charity, charity, chicago, chicago bears, chicago blackhawks, chicago cubs, Columbus Blue Jackets, Craig Adams, Craig Anderson, Dallas Stars, Daniel Carcillo, Florida Panthers, fundraiser, Greg Campbell, hockey, Jake Dowell, Jamal Mayers, James Wisniewski, Jared Boll, Jim Vandermeer, Joe Corvo, Jonathan Toews, Jordan Staal, Kimmo Timonen, Mike Brown, Minnesota Wild, Niklas Backstrom, Ottawa Senators, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Philadelphia Flyers, RMHC-CNI, Robbie Gould, Ronald McDonald House Charities, ryan dempster, Ryan Suter, San Jose Sharks, Shawn Thorton, Tom Gilbert, Troy Brouwer, Ville Leino, Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets
09/05/12
Chicago’s Women-Only 5K: Pretty Muddy in Orland Park
The Pretty Muddy women’s mud run is arriving in Chicago on Saturday, September 15th at Pretty Muddy Farms in Orland Park. And if you hurry, you can register before the event sells out! What can you expect? A women-only event featuring obstacles, great activities, a pretty awesome after party and yes, the opportunity to get muddy.
The event isn’t time nor is it competitive, so definitely open to women at all athletic levels…this 5K run has a little bit of a twist, or shall we say…mud. As an added bonus Pretty Muddy is working with the Circle of Friends for Lurie’s Children’s Hospital. They will be donating $5.00 for each non-discounted registration to the organization as well a donating $5.00 for those using Lurie’s special registration link. To find out more info click here .
Hope Bertram, the Founder and CEO of Digital Megaphone, shares her experience with us:
“The event is the perfect way to get out of the city, pull your hair back, put on that extra pair of sweats and t-shirt you were ready to give away and have a good time with your girlfriends while helping an amazing cause.”
Hope you can join us!
Follow us on Twitter: @Pretty_Muddy
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PrettyMuddy
Tags: 5k, activities, after party, charity, chiacgo, Circle of Friends for Lurie's Children's Hospital, digital megaphone, dirty, donate, events in the suburbs this weekend, fundraiser, gym shoes, hope bertram, muddy, obstacles, orland park, outdoor runs, Pretty muddy, races in orland park, races this weekend, running, saturday 15th, women's mud run
06/07/12
BBQ Stains On My White Tee Shirt
Slap on a white tee and embrace the messiness! Chicago’s most anticipated street festival, Ribfest is almost here!
You know at Thanksgiving when you want to boycott food the day before so you can eat your brains out once the festivities begin? I’m thinking Ribfest might be of Thanksgiving Day caliber- 50,000 people are expected to attend the event and there will be 50,000 pounds of pork…you do the math.
Now in its 14th year, Ribfest has transformed from a community block party to an over-the-top Chicago staple. As featured in local and national media, Ribfest is a three day festival devoted to slippery, sticky and delicious ribs. All Chicagoland restaurant BBQ masters are invited to compete for the title of “Best Ribs” and “People’s Choice.”
Ribfest is also a nationally recognized Indie music festival hosting two stages that feature 20 local and national acts including Heartless Bastards, J. Roddy Walston and the Business and Megafaun !
RibMania will also return hosting the Midwest’s only professional rib-eating contest!!! Actually, now that I think about it, I might come to regret the enthusiasm I used in the last sentence once I watch these contestants in action, but hey, it should be a sight to see!
There is a $5 donation requested and proceeds from the festival are used for community activities including greening efforts and local outreach programs including the Northcenter Chamber’s Philanthropy Committee.
So head over to Northcenter Chamber of Commerce on Lincoln Avenue and BRING ON THE FOOD COMA!
By: Lauren Neuschel
Tags: bbq, billy dec, Block Party, chicago, concert, Family, festival, food, fundraiser, Heartless Bastards, J. Roddy Walston and the Business, Lincoln Avenue, Megafaun, Northcenter Chamber of Commerce, Pork, Ribfest, wicker park
06/03/12
June 7th at the Ivy Room: Shining a Light on Bipolar Disorder
Sarah Levy, owner of Sarah’s Pastries & Candies here! One of the few things I love more than a good pastry is a good party. And that’s exactly what we’ll be having on Thursday, June 7 at A Night of Summer Light, the first-ever event hosted by the Young Friends of The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation. For one night, the Ivy Room, easily one of Chicago’s most gorgeous historic spaces, will be transformed into River North’s hottest party spot. We’ll have delicious bites from Entertaining Company (their short rib potstickers alone are worth the ticket price!), plenty of cocktails and, the essential ingredient to any great event, fantastic music from Toast & Jam DJs. One of my favorite things about the night (other than the dessert table from yours truly)? Uber, the on-demand car service, is providing free rides to and from the event! At the end of the night, your feet will probably ache from dancing, but at least you won’t have to walk home.
While the night will be all about fun, the real reason behind it is a cause very dear to me and my family, that is, pediatric and adolescent bipolar disorder. It is estimated that more than a million children and teens are affected by early-onset bipolar disorder but, like many mental illnesses, there is still a stigma surrounding it. A Night of Summer Light will not only shed light on bipolar disorder for all who attend but it will also fund an educational program that will teach Chicago high school students, teachers and parents about the illness and its symptoms, prevalence and treatment options.
I hope you’ll join me at this fantastic event. Buy your ticket today and you’ll get more than just a fun-filled night – you’ll also help the millions affected by bipolar disorder see a brighter day!
Tags: A Night of Summer Light, cocktails, Cure, DJ's, Entertaining Company, fundraiser, Ivy Room, June, party, pediatric and adolescent bipolar disorder, river north, Sarah Levy. Pastries & Candies, Toast and Jams DJs, Uber, Young Friends of The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation
05/23/12
Gala at the Zoo?!
celebrities, charity, chicago, fashion, Food, Fundraiser, Music, Nature, Networking, nightlife, Pictures, Press, restaurants
Friday, June 1st promises to be a one-of-a-kind night at Lincoln Park Zoo. The zoo’s auxiliary board is hosting their signature fundraiser, Zoo-ologie, in the heart of the Zoo. All the proceeds raised during this unique event will go towards helping care for the animals, keep up exhibits, as well as continue education initiatives all while keeping the zoo free to the public. Lincoln Park Zoo is currently one of only three free zoos in the entire country – and we want it to stay that way! If you live anywhere near Chicago, chances are you’ve enjoyed the beautiful grounds of the LP Zoo at some point in your life. As a DePaul Alum, I walked through the zoo countless times on my way to and from the beach just because I could; not much is free these days, so you have to take advantage and enjoy those few things that are.
The Auxiliary Board for the Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the most popular fundraising groups in Chicago and certainly knows how to host a fun party! The lineup for the evening promises to be quite memorable. The VIP reception kicks off at 7pm, followed by cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 8pm. Some of the featured food stations will include: Sunda, Rockit Bar & Grill, Rockit Burger Bar, Tavern on Rush and “Top Chef” alum Sarah Grueneberg’s Café Spiaggia. AKIRA is the proud fashion sponsor for Zoo-ologie to make things event better!! A silent auction, raffle and dancing under the stars kicks off at 9pm and goes until midnight. Rock Candy will be on hand as the live entertainment from 9pm until midnight as well. As if that wasn’t enough, the (after) party continues at Underground from midnight until 5am.
Tickets to the event start at $110 for general admission and VIP tickets are available for $150. Be sure to get your tickets while they’re available for this awesome event that supports an even better cause! See you under the stars at Lincoln Park Zoo on June 1st!
Tags: akira, Alum, Café Spiaggia, chicago, dancing, DePaul, free, fundraiser, Lincoln Park Zoo, LP, party, proceeds, raffle, reception, Rock Candy, rockit bar & grill, Rockit Burger Bar, Sarah Grueneberg, silent auction, sunda, Tavern on Rush, top chef, underground, vip, Zoo-ologie