Neighbor News
Benefit Planned for Longtime Orland Knights Football Equipment Manager
Friends and family of Orland Park's Mike Guido are hosting a Jan 14 benefit to help with the longtime community volunteer's medical expenses
“Gathering for Guido” Planned for Bourbon Street January 14
ORLAND PARK, IL (December 21, 2016) --- The Orland Park community is rallying to help one of its own, longtime volunteer and Orland Knights Football Equipment Manager Mike Guido.
Guido, who has volunteered with the Orland Knights for several years, has been diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer.
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Sean Flood, who volunteers with Guido with the Orland Knights Football and Cheerleading Program, said, “I could talk about Mike all day. He is one of the most generous people I know.”
Family and friends are hosting a fundraiser to help with Guido’s medical expenses. “Gathering for Guido” will be held Saturday, January 14 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park.
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“Mike has been at every practice and every game, fixing equipment, bandaging cuts and offering encouragement,” Flood said. “Mike’s son is a freshman at Sandburg and Mike still comes to help with the Knights – even while undergoing treatment this fall.”
Early bird tickets purchased before January 2 are $35 each with a $10 discount. The afternoon includes a buffet with appetizers, tossed salad, fried chicken, meatballs, sausage, pasta, potatoes, vegetables, all house wines, Coors Light and Miller Lite plus entertainment provided by live bands.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.eventbrite.com/e/gathering-for-guido-tickets-29076118453*.
Tickets purchased at the door will be $45. The committee is also offering a family of four price for $125.
“Mike Guido and his family mean a lot to the Knights organization,” Flood said. “Our eighth graders won the Super Bowl this year and Mike was there on the sidelines. It was bitter cold outside and Mike had just finished his second chemotherapy treatment. When the final horn sounded and the coaches finished their speeches, the eighth grade boys stood together and told Mike, ‘This season and this championship were for you’,” Flood said. “That alone shows the kind of impact Mike has had on these kids for the last seven years,” Flood said.
A Go Fund Me page has been created to help with Guido’s medical expenses. To make a donation, visit www.gofundme.com/2pefmtn3
For more information or to donate items to the fundraiser, call Angelique Drzik-Edman at 630-267-4591, Mary Schwarz at 773-981-4682 or Sean Flood at 630-728-0745.
