CASINO NIGHT AND CONCERT A HOME RUN FOR 22q
First Annual Casino Night and Concert Raises $225,000 for families affected by 22q11.2 Deletion (DiGeorge Syndrome/VCFS)
A packed house of nearly 700 guests joined Cubs Pitcher Ryan Dempster and his wife, Jenny, for the first official fundraiser of The Ryan and Jenny Dempster Family Foundation – The Dempster Foundation Casino Night and Concert on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, at House of Blues Chicago to benefit the Foundation.
The Casino Night and Concert fundraiser featured a night on the town to mingle with Chicago Cubs players, Blackhawks players, as well as celebrities from the sports and entertainment worlds, as they served as guest dealers at the casino tables. Among the celebrities, serving as dealers for the evening, included members of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks Adam Burish, Philadelphia Flyers’ Danny Briere and Claude Giroux, Actor Mike Starr, Chicago Bears coaching legend Mike Ditka, special musical guests Jaron and the Long Road to Love and country music star Gary Allan. The event was hosted by NBC sports anchor Paula Faris and Chicago Cubs announcer Len Kasper.
Guests enjoyed Southern-inspired food from the House of Blues, and beverages courtesy of William Grant and Sons and Anheuser Busch, while bidding on one-of-a-kind auction packages, experiences, and sports memorabilia. Highlights of the evening included the Diamond Champagne Toast – one lucky winner’s glass had the winning number to take home a $6,000 one-carat diamond; and the end–of–the-evening raffle went home with a $12,000 fishing boat and $5,000 gift card, courtesy of Bass Pro Shops. This special night closed with an intimate concert featuring Country Music Star, Gary Allan and special musical guest, country newcomer, Jaron and the Long Road to Love, all to help Strike Out 22q, and raise funds to support the Dempster Family Foundation.
The Dempster Foundation would like to thank all of their sponsors for the Casino Night and Concert, but would like to specifically recognize the MVP and All Star sponsors including: William Grant and Sons, Anheuser-Bush, Sloan Valve, Aloha Document Services, Chicago Cubs, Bernie’s Tap & Grill, Atlantis Cars, Merrill Lynch, Sidley Austin, LLP, Steve and Sheila Sutherland, Black Tie Formalwear, Aria Resort and Casino Las Vegas, Horseshoe Casino, and Friends of Ryan and Jenny.
The funds raised this year through the event will support The Ryan and Jenny Dempster Family Foundation first grant cycle this fall for both children and families affected by 22q11.2 deletion (DiGeorge Syndrome/VCFS), and other select local children’s charities.
The Ryan and Jenny Dempster Family Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness of 22q11.2 Deletion (DiGeorge Syndrome/VCFS) and reaching out to families with children with the disorder, and the charities that support them, to help them deal with difficult situations they face each day. The Dempster Family Foundation strives to lend support through monetary grants, programs and increased community awareness through the following ways: providing funding to continue research for early detection of this disorder in children, supporting programs about 22q that provide education, physical therapy and activity to promote long-term well being, creating initiatives that build and instill confidence in these children, developing a 22q network for families to share information and experiences, and helping to navigate healthcare options and treatment.
To learn more about this event, the Foundation in general, or to apply for a grant, please visit the Foundation website at: www.dempsterfoundation.org.
