MRJBF EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS OF 2009
9TH ANNUAL ART BENEFITING CHILDREN (“ABC”)
At our 9th Annual Art Benefiting Children event, guests enjoyed a spectacular evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music, raffle and a showcase of artwork by local artists. Each year ABC is held at one of the City’s hottest nightclubs or galleries featuring a collection of painters, photographers, sculptures, and handcrafted jewelry designers. The art and other unique items are sold throughout the evening with proceeds benefiting pediatric research initiatives at the Children’s Memorial Hospital and the Children’s Memorial Research Center. This year, our event was held at Enclave with donations topping more than $45,000.
17TH ANNUAL COCKTAILS FOR A CAUSE (“CFC”)
This event attracts over 450 Chicago-area professionals and philanthropists. The evening features an exciting live and silent auction, live entertainment, and a variety of foods and beverages are donated by some of Chicagoland’s premier restaurants and bars. In 2008, CFC was our most successful event in MRJBF history generating over $98,000 in proceeds for pediatric research initiatives at Children’s Memorial Hospital and the Children’s Memorial Research Center.
EXCLUSIVE CHILDREN’S MEMORIAL HOSPITAL TOURS
Throughout the year, members of the MRJBF participated in tours of Children’s Memorial Hospital and the Children’s Memorial Research Center. The exclusive tours are not available to the public and give board members of the MRJBF an opportunity to see what happens behind the scenes at the hospital. Members gain perspective and education about pediatric medical research and its significant importance in medicine.
ERIC & KATHY RADIOTHON
In September 2009, MRJBF board members were given the opportunity to volunteer at the Eric and Kathy 36-Hour Children’s Memorial Hospital Radiothon. Members actively participated by answering phones for listeners calling in to donate. The Radiothon is a powerful, emotional fundraiser for Children’s Memorial Hospital. Members of the MRJBF appreciate the opportunity to participate in this event.
ROCKIT EVENT
One of the most popular bars in Chicago, Rockit Bar and Grill, helped kick off the 2009 MRJBF fundraising campaign by hosting a happy hour in February. Rockit graciously donated the entire second floor of the bar and welcomed over 200 young professionals. With three hours of open bar plus appetizers, guests enjoyed themselves while listening to sounds of DJ Kasper from Boom Entertainment. This event helped raise over $4,500 for the MRJBF.
INTERMIX SHOPPING NIGHT
The MRJBF jumped into spring fashion with a private shopping party at Intermix. There where free manicures, chair messages, gift bags for shopper, and mixed cocktails from Svedka Vodka. 10% off all sold merchandise went to the support for research initiatives at Children’s Memorial Hospital.
BELLATOR FIGHTING EVENT
In May of 2009 the Bellator Fighting Championships is a first of its kind; nationally broadcast Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion donated a portion of gate proceeds to the MRJBF. Bellator, Latin for “Warrior,” is a modern MMA single-elimination tournament, bringing together a collection of world-class competitors under one banner to fight for the right to call themselves World Champion. This event helped raise over $1,800 for the MRJBF.
HUB51 EVENT
On July 2 this year the MRJBF kicked-off the 4th of July celebrations a little early at one of the city’s hottest spots. HUB 51 garishly took donations at the door and offered drink specials to their guests. The event raised over $4,000.
CFC KICKOFF EVENT AT DISTRICT
Newly opened in 2009; District Bar Chicago helped promote this years Cocktails for a Cause (CFC) with and happy hour kick-off party. District opened their private hidden library room for MRJBF guests. There was music, drink specials, and a raffle that included two round trip tickets and VIP passes to see the “Common & Friends Heart & Soul” in LA on September 26th.
RA SUSHI EVENT
How fast can you eat a sushi role? Well in September of 2009 Ra Sushi asked that question to its Chicago land patrons. Ra Sushi and WXRT held a sushi-eating contest that involved all of the Chicagoland Ra Sushi locations. The proceeds of this event helped to support pediatric research initiatives at Children’s Memorial Hospital and Children’s Memorial Research Center.
JEANS DAY AT WORK EVENT
McGuireWoods LLP held a ‘Casual for a Cause’ day in their Chicago office to raise money for the MRJBF. ‘Casual for a Cause’ is a program that allows employees to make a $5 contribution for the opportunity to wear jeans to the office. We thank McGuireWoods for raising funds for our Board.
