Back 2 School Kickoff

Daniella Guzman and Stefan Holt, the NBC5 morning news team, emceed our big fundraiser for the Illinois Currency Exchange Charitable Foundation.  They're terrific and the luncheon event raised over $100,000.  Now, everyone can pitch in to help us raise money for school supplies! This year's initiative will help supply 19,000 families and kids with the tools they need to succeed in school.  I think I just became a fan of peanut butter sandwiches....Daniella suggested how easy it would be to not eat out for lunch one day and instead pack a peanut butter sandwich and give that $11 (to fund a giant school supplies box instead.  Brilliant idea.

Anyone can donate by stopping by one of the 400 currency exchanges in Illinois.  These two news anchors are not only at the top of their game, they seriously care about the community and want to help.  How about you?  (I'll make a great peanut butter sandwich for you!)

If you need helping picking your activity for the weekend, I recommend "Pedal" from Crain's Top 10 List!  (I'm handling publicity). See you out there.  

 

PEDAL. Take a disco nap, because you'll need the energy when you stay up to ride in the 24th annual L.A.T.E. bike ride. More than 9,000 cyclists are expected to pass through South Loop, Chinatown and Greektown under the stars. You'll finish with a sunrise breakfast. June 30 - July 1, 11 p.m. - 6 a.m. Cost is $45, proceeds benefit Friends of the Parks. Columbus Drive and Congress Parkway, www.lateride.org

Secretary of State Jesse White's birthday bash this week was great fun!  Ageless and full of energy, Jesse even included his famous Jesse White tumblers as part of the entertainment at Carmine's and in the middle of Rush Street.  I kept running into people I know and particularly got a kick out of the fact that he has some female students on the tumbling team!  (Jesse even did his incredible headstand.  (That's him heading into it below in the picture).

Lou Canellis was a great emcee and even our town's "Fabio" bopped by. The big surprise was Governor Quinn's arrival.  One guest summed it up well, "If you are judged in heaven by the number of trees you have been able to plant during your life, Jesse White is responsible for forests."  And that about sums it up, doesn't it?!  We all better start planting.

L.A.T.E. Ride is a great event in Chicago and a fundraiser for Friends of the Parks.  Come on out on Saturday and experience Chicago on this after-midnight ride with 9,000 cyclists.  Four Man Band kicks it off and The International Beethoven Project helps us celebrate a Sunrise Breakfast with their Beethoven Festival Orchestra!  Online registration is closed, but sign-up is available at the event. Check it out.  www.lateride.org.  CBS 2 Chicago and Chicago's fun crowd.  A don't miss event!