“Woody’s Winter Warm-Up” Raises $175,000 for Mentoring Program

It was a night of success, as the Wood Family Foundation raised $175,000 at the 8th Annual

“Woody’s Winter Warm-Up sponsored by ALE Solutions on Friday, January 18that 9:00 p.m. at Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch Restaurant and Chicago Sports Museum.

Celebrities, local media personalities, and Cubs past and present took turns behind the bar mixing drinks and competing for tips. US99’s Stylz and Roman served as emcees while auctioneer Jim Miller generated some excitement with the help of Ian Happ and Israel Idonije for LIVE auction items which included an Anthony Rizzo Meet-n-Greet (sold for $7500) and a First Pitch at Wrigley (sold for $9,000). Silent auction items included a chef experience at Steak 48, helicopter tour with Vertiport, behind-the-scenes tour of NBC Chicago Sports and Stan Mikita autographed jersey (full list can be viewed at https://e.givesmart.com/events/bOm/i/).

Local band Suburban Cowboys provided the evening’s music with local media personality Ryan Chiaverini joined them for a set. Impromptu performances from Survivor’sJim Peterik (who sang “Eye of the Tiger”), American Pie’s Thomas Ian Nicholas and Plain White T’s front man Tom Higginson with Cubs player Kyle Schwarber warranted excitement from the 400+ crowd.

“We are grateful to everyone who participated or attended this year’s Warm-Up,” explains Kerry Wood. “This event helps support our mentoring program and we are off to a great start in 2019!”

Monies raised from the Warm-Up will help expand the Wood Family Foundation’s programs and services, including its mentorship program, Pitch In, which was launched in 2014. Pitch In is an after-school mentoring program that serves nearly 100 students in grades fourth thru eighth in two schools in the Chicagoland area. This spring, Pitch Inwill expand to two additional schools serving more than 150 students.

Cubs past and present in attendance included Kyle Schwarber, Willson Contreras, Ian Happ, Albert Almora, David Bote, Rowan Wick, Adbert Alzolay, Jim Bullinger, Bobby Dernier, Todd Hanley, Bill Madlock, Mike Remlinger, Randy Wells, Ryan Dempster, Kyle Farnsworth, Augie Ojeda, Randy Hundley along with Chairman Tom Ricketts, Manager Joe Maddon and President of Operations Crane Kenney. Notable personalities who showed off their bartending skills includedJohn Cusack (actor),Bonnie Hunt (actress), Thomas Ian Nicholas (actor), Tom Higgenson (Plain White T’s) Mickey O’Sullivan (actor), Rusty Schwimmer (actress), Robyn Coffin (actress), Betina Gozo (celebrity trainer), John Vincent (anthem singer),Israel Idonije (former Chicago Bear), Ryan Baker (CBS Chicago), Dionne Miller (ABC Chicago), L), Ryan Chiaverini (ABC Windy City LIVE), Kelly Crull (NBC Sports), Lisa Fielding (Entercom Radio), Brendan Greeley (Steve Dahl Show), Melissa McGurren (“Eric” Show), Danny Parkins (The Score), Joe Soto (V103), Sarah Spain (ESPN), Chris Chelios former Blackhawk), and Pat Tomasulo (WGN Morning News).

The 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 believes that despite the curveballs that life circumstances may throw, everyone deserves a chance to reach their full potential. WFF facilitates collaborative relationships between school partners and families that provide support and opportunities to empower students to succeed in middle school, high school, and beyond. Learn more, and consider supporting, at www.wffpitchin.org.