St James Place CWC Queen of Hearts $110,000 Drawing Tonight at 7

Christopher Oleskiewicz feels the presence of his grandfather Jack Oleskiewicz every single time St. James Place is filled wall to wall with patrons.

As to why the friendly neighborhood staple in Oak Lawn has been busier than ever lately is a credit to the family that nurtures Jack’s legacy and “gives where there is need” as everyone does to benefit Christmas Without Cancer and the current Queen of Hearts effort that is reaching up to $110,000 in total.

"Christmas Without Cancer is a lot like Pa was in terms of helping those who need a boost in life,” said Christopher. “Pa would never buy a raffle chance himself because he’d be embarrassed winning, but he’d certainly stir the pot, so to speak, to get people to step up, have a good time and raise funds for a great cause."

Jack’s daughter Gina, works the crowd every Thursday, selling more Queen raffle tickets and embracing the excitement at St. James Place, 5305 West 95th Street in Oak Lawn, IL.

"He would absolutely love this," said Gina, Christopher’s mother.

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.

In September of 2019, the St. James Place family further embraced Christmas Without Cancer, participating in the 5K Walk/Run in Evergreen Park to raise money; The effort "gave legs" to the weekly Queen of Hearts fundraising efforts initiated last May 1 by the family.

"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 really understand our mission to help people locally with money to pay bills, medicines or parking at hospitals. The need is great all year."

The St. James Place way of doing things will be on display Thursday with Gina working along side her son Christopher, who worked with "Pa" side by side for years and now manages St. James Place.

The Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk will be Saturday, September 19, 2020 but some time between now and then “a winner of the Queen of Hearts will be named but more importantly, all of us would have had a great time and along the way they were able to help local families in need,” said Christopher. ‘The way Pa would have wanted it."

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