St James Place Hosts Christmas Without Cancer Queen of Hearts

Gina Oleskiewicz’ eyes well up at the very mention of her father, Jack Oleskiewicz.

“He would absolutely love this,” answered Gina, referencing Christmas Without Cancer’s “Queen of Hearts Raffle” campaign to raise funds for local families facing cancer this coming holiday season.

John Joseph “Jack” Oleskiewicz Sr. died in August of 2016 at the age of 71, but not before he built out, with his own hands, St. James Place's interior décor during the mid 1980’s. Those same big, strong open hands welcomed countless community members through the doors of his family establishment using his unique wit, charm and big personality.

An entry posted to his death notice read: RIP, Jack. Your humor, heart and character will never be forgotten. The bar and our hearts will never be the same, but what a pleasure for all who have gotten to know you.

His congenial spirit and sense of humor will be in the air Thursday night when St. James Place, 5305 West 95th Street in Oak Lawn, hosts an extra special Christmas party with a 9 p.m. drawing for the Queen of Hearts raffle, which now totals $53,000, half of which will raise funds for Christmas Without Cancer’s selection of local families and, the other half, prize money for the lucky card holder.

Late last summer, Jack’s family was collectively seated around the kitchen table seeking to team St. James Place with an impactful nonprofit when Jack’s daughter Sara Kelley got a tip from friend, Mehgan Crouse, seated with the family: “Christmas Without Cancer does a lot of great things for people in need, and it’s all local families they help.”

Crouse's wisdom launched the Oleskiewicz family into action with its extended circle of friends.

In September, The St. James Place army of runners toed the starting line in Christmas Without Cancer's 5K in Evergreen Park to raise money; it complemented the weekly Queen of Hearts initiated last May 1.

"St. James not only showed up to run, they brought sponsors with them," said Gerri Neylon, Christmas Without Cancer founder. "The fine people of St. James Place and their patrons get our mission to help people locally with money to pay bills, medicines or parking at hospitals. The need is great all year."

The Oleskiewicz air of great comfort will be hands-on and ready to serve Thursday with Gina working along side her son Christopher, who worked with “Pa” side by side for years and now manages St. James Place.

“Pa was my best friend, my boss, my dad,” said Christopher. “Christmas Without Cancer is just like him – someone willing to give the shirt off their back to help those in need.”

Local celebrity bartender Sue Sommerville “is the stick that stirs the drink” on Queen of Hearts raffle nights, while facilitating introductions so everyone knows everyone.

“Sue’s fantastic,” said Renee Copeland, vice president of Christmas Without Cancer. “She’s our Queen of Hearts guru and works every Thursday just for us.”

Like the happy totals, the crowds have grown in recent months with an eclectic gathering of “people who enjoy people,” a very real atmosphere that television shows like “Cheers” can only hope to replicate with comedy, characters and a dash of drama.

The Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk began the season of giving to and will be bookended soon when a winner of the Queen of Hearts will be named soon at St. James Place, where everyone is a champion while giving to those in need, “the way Jack would want it.”

For more information, visit the website at www.christmaswithoutcancer.org.