Arts & Entertainment
THE WOOD FAMILY FOUNDATION RAISES OVER $100,000 WITH THE HELP OF COUNTRY MUSIC ARTIST CHRIS YOUNG
Country Fans Turn Out for Live Music and Raising Money
It was a successful night of country music and fundraising at Joe’s Bar on Wednesday as Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood and country musician Chris Young hosted Woody’s Western Roundup. Emceed by US99’s Lisa Dent, the evening featured live music, cocktails and food from some of the city’s top restaurants. The Wood Family Foundation successful raised over $100,000 which will go to their recently launched mentoring program, ’Pitch In’ that supports fourth grade students at Lawndale Community Academy.
Approximately 300 people were in attendance to enjoy Young’s music, both new and old, as well as food from Chop Shop, Bub City, Blue Door Farm Stand, Taco Joint, Pearl Tavern and catering by Paramount Events. The live auction featured a ’Nashville Experience’ trip which went for $6,000 and Young offered a $25,000 donation to the foundation. Additionally, the raffle and other personal giving totaled over $4,400.
“We are so grateful to Chris for helping us make this event a success and for his support for our foundation’s work with kids in underprivileged areas of Chicago,” explains Sarah.
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Sponsors of Woody’s Western Roundup included Ed Warm and Joe’s Bar, Sloan Valve, Incapital, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, William Barry, United Airlines, Paramount Events, Tito’s and Bulleit Bourbon.
“We are able to continue our foundation’s mission because of people like Chris, supporter’s like Joe’s Bar and our sponsors that really helped make the event a success. I believe it takes a community to raise a child and together we are doing just that,” explains Kerry.
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Wood Family Foundation (WFF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in June 2011 by Kerry and Sarah wood. WFF has raised over $4 million for Chicago’s kids and works to improve their lives by raising funds and awareness for their programs, such as Pitch In. WFF acts as an advocate for today’s youth by providing support through long-term relationships to ensure consistency, emotional structure and life skills needed to succeed. WFF believes all kids have potential. www.woodfamilyfoundation.org
