Comedy Benefit Will Support Lewis University Counseling Services

CHICAGO — A group of Lewis University alumni from Oak Lawn are planning a comedy benefit to bring awareness for mental health issues on April 25 at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago. “Laugh To Create Awareness” starts at 7:30 p.m. and features a stellar lineup of Chicago comedians.

Lewis University alumni are partnering with Pillars Community Health, an organization that helps people with limited means receive mental health counseling. Proceeds will also create a scholarship for a Lewis graduate focusing on counseling who has been directly affected by depression, and to aid the Lewis University Center for Health and Counseling Services.

According to Pillars Community Health, one in four Americans has a diagnoseable mental Illness. Two-thirds of those individuals with mental illness go without treatment, due to an inability to access care or the stigma associated with mental health. This event addresses both issues.

The host for the evening will be WGN’S Mike Toomey. The lineup features the Lewis University Alumni Improv Group, Marty DeRosa, Joe Kilgallon and LU alumnus John Caponera.

Individual tickets are $100. Buy a group of four tickets for $400 and receive a $50 gift card to the soon-to-open Barrel Club in Oak Lawn. Purchase tickets online.