Chicago’s Friday Night Fight Night Is Back

Get ready for a “knockout” charity event, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago will host its fourth annual charity boxing match, the Patrick J. Ryan Main Event & Casino Night, to support the Loving Outreach for Survivors of Suicide (LOSS) Program for Children and Youth on Friday, February 2nd. The LOSS Program for Children and Youth mission is to guide and support children who have lost a loved one to suicide as they journey through the grief recovery process. The internationally-recognized program provides individual, family and group counseling for children and youth, as well as consultation for caregivers and key family members.

Patrick J. Ryan Main Event & Casino Night highlights include:

• 8-10 Golden Glove-style amateur boxing fights
• Cocktails hour
• Ringside seating with a steak dinner
• Casino night with craps, blackjack and roulette

“This event raises vital funds to support our Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide Program. Since we founded the specialized division of the program, more than 250 children and their families have received free support and counseling to help them grieve the loss of loved one to suicide,” said Monsignor Michael Boland, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The event was established by former Attorney General of Illinois Jim Ryan and his wife Marie and their family, after the loss of their son, Patrick J. Ryan, to suicide. Jim and Marie Ryan will act as co-chairs for the event again. Boxing has been a family tradition for the Ryans, starting with Jim Ryan Sr., who won the Middle Weight Golden Glove Championship in 1964. His sons, John, Jimmy and Matt Ryan, all grew up boxing.

Guests can purchase individual tickets or tables, or become a sponsor of the event, and enjoy cocktails, appetizers and dinner. All proceeds will go towards the LOSS Program. Tickets start at $250, including dinner and drinks. Cocktail hour with casino games begins at 6 p.m. with the first match being announced at 7 p.m.

The event would not be possible without sponsor: Kates Detective & Security Agency, Flood Brothers Disposal & Recycling System Inc., Monterrey Security, W.S. Dalrey & Co., Beech Nut, Dutch Farms, Goode Foods, Happy Products, The Thomas & Christina Grusceki Foundation, Illinois Business Communications, Bio-One Chicago, Pest Management Services, Brann New Door, Joe Cantore, CIBC, DiCianni Graphics, Five-Star Audio Visual, Exclusive Construction, Guaranteed Rate, Holy Family Villa, Pest Management Services, JLH Electric, Jim Ryan & Associates, Skynet Security, Spotless Cleaning, Top Notch Building, TNB Doors and Proven Business Systems.

For tickets, call 312-655-7290 or buy online at catholiccharities.net/pjrmainevent.