BRIDGEVIEW, IL --
Chicago Fire Soccer and local contributors and businesses teamed up for the fifth consecutive year to celebrate "Kids Night Out," a soccer evening organized by the Fire and the FireWorks for Kids Foundation, for underprivileged children in Chicagoland. The event will bring together over 8,000 children to a night of soccer, featuring the Fire against the Real Salt Lake tomorrow night at TOYOTA PARK.
The Chicago Fire called upon local businesses and individuals to participate in the "Kids Night Out" event by purchasing group tickets to the Chicago Fire-Real Salt Lake game, and the reaction was a major success as over 130 contributors responded to show their financial support. Those that donated any amount towards the cause had their contributions doubled, as the Fire organization matched each gift given to the FireWorks for Kids Foundation, its charitable organization. These tickets were donated to nearly 60 local youth-based organizations throughout the Chicagoland area.
"The Fire and the FireWorks For Kids Foundation are very pleased to have such an overwhelming response to our Kids Night Out Program," said Fire Senior Director of Community Relations and FWFK Executive Director Jessica Yavitz. "With the support of our fans and partners we will be able to provide 8,000 underprivileged children with a chance to attend a Fire game. For many this will be their first time. This is a tremendous effort by all parties involved and we are excited to help provide a memorable experience for the children in the community."
About FireWorks For Kids Foundation
Since 1998, the FireWorks For Kids Foundation, the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire, has made significant contributions to enhance the lives of disadvantaged youth throughout Chicagoland. Each year, the FWFK Foundation renews its commitment to enhance the lives of others by remaining focused on the mission of supporting organizations whose programs provide educational and recreational opportunities for economically or otherwise challenged children in and around Chicago.
2008 "Kids Night Out" Beneficiaries
Kaleidoscope, Inc., 21st Century After School Sports Program @ Salazar Bilingual School, Bear Necessities, Heartland International Child Care, Family Focus, Inc., Midwest Children's Brain Tumor Center of Lutheran General Hospital, Lydia Home Association, St. Joseph Services, Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Chicago Uptown Ministry, Union League Boys and Girls Club, Bethel New Life - Supportive Housing, Asian Human Services, Centro Romero, Abraham Lincoln Lend a Hand Program, Onarga Academy, Near North Health Service Corporation, The South Suburban Councel on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Geneva Foundation, Mercy Home, Rauner House YMCA, Irish Children's Fund, Direct Effect Charities, Erie Neighborhood House, Carpentersville Police Department, George Werden Buck Boys & Girls Club, Jesus People USA, Spectrum Youth & Family Services, McHenry County Latino Coalition, Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, Cedar Lake Boys & Girls Club, Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club, Heartland Alliances International Refugee Center, Youth Technology Corps, Lawrence Hall, NEDSRA, Breaking Free, Inc., Glen Ellyn Community Resource Center, Interfaith Refugee Youth Program, Starlight Childrens Foundation, Life Christian Center, Chicago Area Project, Nuestro Center, Lutheran Child & Family Services, Youth Outreach Services, Hope and Friendship Ministries, SOS Children's Villages Illinois, Pillars, High Ridge YMCA, Big Borthers & Big Sisters, Sinais Children's Obesity Program, Direct Effect Charities, Harvest House Outreach, Union League Boys and Girls Club, Chicago Futbol Club, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Central Stakis SER, Family Focus,Refugee Assistance Program.
2008 Chicago Fire "Kids Night Out" - Major Contributors
Anthony Mourek-Anthony Mourek Management, Bill Scholz-Bill Scholz Creative, Brand DuBose-Saatchi & Saatchi, Brian Messer-Meridian IT, Chuck Race, David Quinn, Dean Magdalin-Shattered Glass, Deb Karp-Chicago Sun-Times, Doug Grissom, Eric Weber- Walgreens, Flo Dyson, Ivan Gottesfeld- Tupelo Honey, Jenna Brauer- University of Illinois Medical Center, JimenaCataritas- La Raza, Jin Park- Debit Connections, Joe Duncan, Jon Thomas- Itentive Corporation, Kim Smith- Village of Bridgeview, Kyle Weisner- Victory Auto Wreckers, Inc Lauren Pray- Cardinal Fitness, Mark Ferguson- Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott LLP, Michael Lauesen-Nicoat, Mike Thiessen-The Madison Group, LTD, Phyllis Quinn, Rick Willis- Silbrico Corporation, Sander Rosen- ESW Partners, Sharon Brown-Toyota Motor Sales, Stan Kaczmarek- Pepsi Americas, Stan Sieczka- American Machining and Welding, Ted Maccabee-Strictly FX, LLC, Trent Sheridan- ComEd, Wendy Neitzel and Susie Charendoff-MAC Properties, Comcast, Best Buy, Whitney Maulsby-The BusBank
