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Sports Ball brings out celebs to benefit seniors
Christy Dolan of Oak Brook tries on John Lattner's Heisman ring. | Jerry Daliege~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: May 22, 2012 2:00PM
Sports stars and legacies from Chicago sports teams gathered together to root for a winning cause when Aging Care Connections held its 11th annual Sports Ball gala on May 5 at Harry Caray’s in Lombard.
More than 275 guests raised close to $80,000 to benefit services offered to older adults.
Sarah Spain, ESPN-W columnist, SportsCenter anchor for ESPN 1000 and reporter for ESPNChicago. com, emceed the event, which attracted a capacity crowd.
Celebrity athletes included Kurt Becker of the 1985 Super Bowl Chicago Bears, Brent Sopel, a member of the Blackhawks Stanley Cup Championship team, Heisman Trophy winner John Lattner and the legendary Dutchie Caray.
The athletes headlined an evening of tailgate cocktails, skybox dining featuring a surf and turf dinner, auctions and dancing. Guests had the opportunity to meet celebrities who autographed memorabilia and answered questions about their outstanding careers.
Auction items kept up with the sports theme by showcasing items such as a trip to the 2012 ESPY Awards, trips to Siesta Key and Scottsdale, as well as tickets to the Ryder Cup Tournament, and a Heisman Experience, which included a Notre Dame football autographed by alumnus and Heisman Trophy winner Lattner, and the opportunity to borrow Lattner’s Heisman Trophy for two weeks.
Sports Ball is Aging Care Connections’ major fundraising event held to support the organization’s social service programs to assist those 60 years of age and older in suburban Cook County.
To learn more, visit www.agingcareconnections.org.
