Urban Initiatives celebrated it best Soccer Ball to date – raising $480,000 in support of Urban Initiatives’ sports based youth development programming that serves over 16,500 boys and girls throughout 41 Chicago Public Schools. The West Loop’s newest event space Morgan Manufacturing saw host emcee Carmen DeFalco welcome over 1,000 guests as they arrived to support Urban Initiatives’ sports-based youth development programs.
Attendees included Chicago Blackhawks Center Marcus Krüger, Chicago Fire Captain Jeff Larentowicz, U.S. Congressman Bob Dold along with executives and young professionals from companies like Allstate Insurance, BMO Harris Bank, Storck USA, Nike, Kirkland and Ellis LLP and ESPN AM 1000. Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises provided savory and elegant hors d’oeuvres along with signature libations from their wildly popular restaurants Hub 51, Three Dots and a Dash, Café Ba Ba Reeba, Bub City, Mon Ami Gabi, RPM Italian, Stella Barra Pizzeria, and Summer House, giving everyone in attendance a taste of fine dining.
This year, Urban Initiatives honored Mayor Rahm Emanuel with the prestigious Soccer Ball Award for being such a great partner and supporter over the years. The Troy Cameron Team Captain award was given to Estrella Alvarez, a 5th grade Take the Lead Team Captain from Pasteur Elementary, for her dedication to helping her fellow teammates and showing leadership in her community.
The evening also showcased an exquisite Silent Auction that featured items ranging from Chicago Cubs owner’s seats and a one of a kind on field experience to a vacation getaway to Bogota, Colombia. The live auction, which gave party goers a chance to really make an impact in the lives of Chicago’s kids, raised funds that will enable more children around the city to benefit from Urban Initiatives lessons of living healthy and active lives. Both auctions earned $92,000 which will go directly to the expansion of Urban Initiatives’ programming.
Urban Initiatives would like to thank all of the amazing sponsors for supporting this year’s Soccer Ball. A special thank you goes out to Presenting Sponsors Allstate Insurance Company and Storck USA. Also thank you to Jacky & Michael Ferro – The Sun Times Foundation/The Chicago Community Trust for pledging a $25,000 match during the Live Auction!
