Woody's Winter Warm-up: A Celebrity Mixer

Retired pitcher Kerry Wood will kick off the 2015 Cubs Convention weekend with his annual Woody’s Winter Warm-Up fundraiser on Friday, January 16th at 8:30pm at the new Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch Restaurant and Chicago Sports Museum. Now in its 4th year, the event has become a favorite amongst fans as well as friends and supporters of the Wood Family Foundation.

Emceed by WTMX radio personalities Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart, the Warm-Up will feature musical performances by Chicago’s very own Plain White T’s and DJ Matt Roan. Guests will enjoy ‘meet and greet’ opportunities with players, a premium open bar, food stations, raffle and silent auction, which is currently taking bids at https://myab.co/events/wp/. The live auction will showcase The Ultimate Cubs Experience package which is two game tickets in Theo Epstein’s private box at Wrigley Field and a 7th inning stretch’ sing-a-long with Kerry.

“This is one of our favorite events because it not only starts up the excitement for the convention but also for the upcoming baseball season with Maddon and Lester joining the ball club,” explains Kerry.

Chicago Cubs (past and present), local celebrities and media personalities will serve as ‘guest-bartenders’ mixing drinks and competing for tips while also challenging guests in the Museum’s interactive games. Confirmed participants from the Chicago Cubs include: members and coaches of the 2015 Cubs team including Joe Maddon, Jon Lester and Anthony Rizzo, former players -Mark DeRosa, Bob Howry, Ted Lilly, Jacque Jones,Rick Sutcliffe, Ryan Dempster, Jon Lieber, Dave Otto, Glendon Rusch, Lee Smith, Steve Trout and team executives Tom Ricketts (Owner), Theo Epstein (President), and Jed Hoyer (Exec VP). Additionally, Ron Kittle (former White Sox), Brandon Marshall (Chicago Bear), Chris Ritter (Chicago Fire), Doug Hicks(Chicago Fire), LaRoyce Hawkins(Chicago P.D.), TJ Zizzo (Top Fuel driver), DJ White Shadow, Jerry Hester (former University of Illinois basketball star), Jarrett Payton (philanthropist, WGN Radio), John Vincent (Ditka’s), Dino Kourelis(Lovehammers), Bobby Kourelis(Lovehammers), Ryan Chiaverini (ABC’s Windy City LIVE), Natalie Martinez (NBC), Dionne Miller (ABC), Ryan Baker (CBS), Sarah Spain (ESPN Radio), Kelly Crull (Comcast), Kip Lewis (Comcast), Jane Monzures (WGN Radio), Pete McMurray (WGN Radio), Showbiz Shelly (B96), JNiice (B96), Lisa Fielding (WBBM-AM), Brendan Greeley (Steve Dahl Show), DC Crenshaw (efete.net), etc.

Additionally, from now until January 16th, all Harry Caray’s locations will be serving up “Woody’s Spring Training Spiked Apple” specialty cocktail. Made with Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey, apple juice, agave nectar, lime juice and topped with a sliced apple garnish, the drink will donate 100% of proceeds back to the foundation.

“We’ve had a busy 2014 putting together our mentoring program, PitchIn, and this event will provide the necessary means for us to continue our work with more mentors and mentees,” adds Sarah.

Tickets for Woody’s Winter Warm-Up are $125 per person in advance and $150 at the door and can be purchased at www.woodfamilyfoundation.org. Parking is available for $16 in (valet) and $12 (self-park).

Wood Family Foundation (WFF) is a non-profit 501c3 organization that was founded in June 2011 by Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood and his wife Sarah. The WFF works to improve the lives of children in and around Chicago by raising funds and awareness for children’s charities and the causes they support. The WFF acts as an advocate for children in the Chicago community, inspiring others to join them in their mission of giving children the resources they need to succeed. www.woodfamilyfoundation.orgRetired pitcher Kerry Wood will kick off the 2015 Cubs Convention weekend with his annual Woody’s Winter Warm-Up fundraiser on Friday, January 16th at 8:30pm at the new Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch Restaurant and Chicago Sports Museum. Now in its 4th year, the event has become a favorite amongst fans as well as friends and supporters of the Wood Family Foundation.

Emceed by WTMX radio personalities Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart, the Warm-Up will feature musical performances by Chicago’s very own Plain White T’s and DJ Matt Roan. Guests will enjoy ‘meet and greet’ opportunities with players, a premium open bar, food stations, raffle and silent auction, which is currently taking bids at https://myab.co/events/wp/. The live auction will showcase The Ultimate Cubs Experience package which is two game tickets in Theo Epstein’s private box at Wrigley Field and a 7th inning stretch’ sing-a-long with Kerry.

“This is one of our favorite events because it not only starts up the excitement for the convention but also for the upcoming baseball season with Maddon and Lester joining the ball club,” explains Kerry.

Chicago Cubs (past and present), local celebrities and media personalities will serve as ‘guest-bartenders’ mixing drinks and competing for tips while also challenging guests in the Museum’s interactive games. Confirmed participants from the Chicago Cubs include: members and coaches of the 2015 Cubs team including Joe Maddon, Jon Lester and Anthony Rizzo, former players -Mark DeRosa, Bob Howry, Ted Lilly, Jacque Jones,Rick Sutcliffe, Ryan Dempster, Jon Lieber, Dave Otto, Glendon Rusch, Lee Smith, Steve Trout and team executives Tom Ricketts (Owner), Theo Epstein (President), and Jed Hoyer (Exec VP). Additionally, Ron Kittle (former White Sox), Brandon Marshall (Chicago Bear), Chris Ritter (Chicago Fire), Doug Hicks(Chicago Fire), LaRoyce Hawkins(Chicago P.D.), TJ Zizzo (Top Fuel driver), DJ White Shadow, Jerry Hester (former University of Illinois basketball star), Jarrett Payton (philanthropist, WGN Radio), John Vincent (Ditka’s), Dino Kourelis(Lovehammers), Bobby Kourelis(Lovehammers), Ryan Chiaverini (ABC’s Windy City LIVE), Natalie Martinez (NBC), Dionne Miller (ABC), Ryan Baker (CBS), Sarah Spain (ESPN Radio), Kelly Crull (Comcast), Kip Lewis (Comcast), Jane Monzures (WGN Radio), Pete McMurray (WGN Radio), Showbiz Shelly (B96), JNiice (B96), Lisa Fielding (WBBM-AM), Brendan Greeley (Steve Dahl Show), DC Crenshaw (efete.net), etc.

Additionally, from now until January 16th, all Harry Caray’s locations will be serving up “Woody’s Spring Training Spiked Apple” specialty cocktail. Made with Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey, apple juice, agave nectar, lime juice and topped with a sliced apple garnish, the drink will donate 100% of proceeds back to the foundation.

“We’ve had a busy 2014 putting together our mentoring program, PitchIn, and this event will provide the necessary means for us to continue our work with more mentors and mentees,” adds Sarah.

Tickets for Woody’s Winter Warm-Up are $125 per person in advance and $150 at the door and can be purchased at www.woodfamilyfoundation.org. Parking is available for $16 in (valet) and $12 (self-park).

Wood Family Foundation (WFF) is a non-profit 501c3 organization that was founded in June 2011 by Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood and his wife Sarah. The WFF works to improve the lives of children in and around Chicago by raising funds and awareness for children’s charities and the causes they support. The WFF acts as an advocate for children in the Chicago community, inspiring others to join them in their mission of giving children the resources they need to succeed. www.woodfamilyfoundation.org