OTSC luncheon raffle ticket could win you 4 Cubs seats

To help raise money for Off the Street Club at its Thursday, Dec. 1 annual Holiday Luncheon, one of the two big raffle prizes is Cubs tickets for four Wrigley Field dugout seats — or $10,000 in cash provided by an anonymous donor.

This year’s income goal is more than the $582,000 that the 2015 event yielded, to be raised exclusively through the luncheon at the Swissotel, 323 E. Upper Wacker Dr., starting with an 11 a.m. cocktail reception and luncheon at noon.

The advertising-supported luncheon is the Club’s main source of funding for year-round activities for the 3,000 kids in West Garfield, a neighborhood called “the mass shooting capital of the world” by The Daily Beast.

This year’s luncheon theme is “Hope is Tougher,” created by a team effort at Energy BBDO, the agency hosting this year’s luncheon. Key agency luncheon supporters are Managing Director Jeff Adkins, Print Production Director Mary Day, Client Service Director Lianne Sinclair and the created team led by CCO Andrés Ordóñez.

“Energy BBDO is thrilled and honored to be the host agency for this year’s holiday luncheon,” says agency president Tonise Paul. “The response from agencies, media partners and clients has been overwhelming and we fully expect a sold-out Swissotel ballroom on December 1. We can’t wait to see everyone and to celebrate the kids together.”

Adding to the luncheon’s funding opportunities are Raffle, for the two big prizes and a chance to bid on more than 80 works of art by renowned artists from all over the country in the Silent Auction.

The advertising industry’s contributions have provided the Club’s greatest and continuous financial support since 1902, when Frank Thomas, of Lord & Thomas (FCB’s predecessor agency) got on board to help what is now the nation’s oldest inner city after school club.

“There wouldn’t be an Off The Street Club if it weren’t for the agencies here in Chicago. They are the parents of Off The Street Club,” said Ralph Campagna, the Club’s indefatigable executive director for more than 20 years, who grew up in the West Side neighborhood at a very different time.

OTSC offers some 20 after school programs, such as sports and athletic activities, field trips, music, art woodshop and theatre, tutoring and mentoring, in the large building complex at 25 N. Karlov, and provides a summer camp experience at Camp Mathieu in Wheaton.

To buy Holiday Luncheon tickets or Benefactor tables for 10, click here.