“Woody’s Winter Warm-Up” Raises over $100,000

Despite last Friday’s snowstorm that blanketed the city in white, Kerry Wood & the Wood Family Foundation hosted another successful “Woody’s Winter Warm-Up at Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch Restaurant and Chicago Sports Museum. The event raised over $100,000 with the help of celebrity friends, Cubs players (past/present) and media personalities who bartended and competed for tips. Over 250 guests were entertained with musical performances by Suburban Cowboys, Jim Peterik of Survivor Tom Higgenson from Plain White T’s, along with food stations, premium open-bar, raffles, and live & silent auctions.

Current Chicago Cubs that stopped by to “guest bartend” included David Bote, Ian Happ, Albert Almora Jr., Adbert Adzolay, Daniel Discalso, Nico Hoerner, and Rowan Wick. Cubs Alums included Carlos Zambrano, Reed Johnson, Dave Otto, Bobby Howry, Mike Remlinger, Glendon Rusch, Ted Lilly, Mike Fontenot, Geovanny Soto, and Jon Lieber.

Notable guests and media personalities included Bonnie Hunt (actress), Paul Blair (DJ WhiteShadow), Jesse Spencer(Chicago Fire), Taylor Kinney (Chicago Fire), Jerry Azumah (former Chicago Bear), Israel Idonije (former Chicago Bear), Pierre Thomas (former NFL player), Wayne Messmer (Cubs anthem singer), Ryan Chiaverini (ABC Windy City LIVE), Lisa Fielding (WBBM Radio reporter/anchor), Tanja Babich (ABC Chicago anchor), Kelly Crull (NBC Sports), Lin Brehmer(WXRT Radio host), Sarah Spain (ESPN Chicago), etc.

The Warm-Up has become the kick-off for baseball fans attending Cubs convention weekend. “It means the world to us that despite the winter weather, our fans and friends continue to come out to celebrate with us,” explains Wood. “This event raises important dollars to drive programming forward in the North Lawndale and Humboldt Park communities and we are so humbled.”

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 students grades 4-8 who meet with mentors once a week for 2 ½ hours, working to boost their grades, and build leadership skills and successfully transition to high school. The program currently serves 150 kids in 4 schools.

For more information about the Wood Family Foundation’s work, or to learn more about volunteering as a Pitch In mentor, please visit www.wffpitchin.org.

About Wood Family Foundation

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.