White Sox host sixth annual 'Charities Week'

Chicago White Sox Charities Week, the club's annual fundraising and community outreach campaign, will be celebrated during the team's upcoming homestand and runs from August 1-6. Charities Week engages fans attending games and those following along from home through community outreach events featuring current players, auctions, unique fundraising activities and more. The first five Charities Weeks raised a combined total of more than $677,000. 

"We are thrilled to give fans the opportunity to interact with players while also giving back to the community during Charities Week," said Christine O'Reilly, executive director of Chicago White Sox Charities and White Sox senior director of community relations. "All of the special player activities and fundraising efforts planned for the week will support organizations that are doing impactful work in the Chicagoland area. Chicago White Sox Charities would not have sustained such tremendous success over the years without the generosity of White Sox fans."

Fans attending games during the week can participate in a number of unique fundraising activities. Charities Week also includes a series of community outreach events that involve White Sox players and team personnel working in the community. The schedule for 2014 Charities Week is as follows:

Friday, August 1, 7:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Minnesota

Volunteer Corps Service Day - White Sox personnel and members of the White Sox Volunteer Corps will participate in a park clean up at 10 a.m. at Armour Square Park, located adjacent to U.S. Cellular Field. Members of the Volunteer Corps will remove litter and lay mulch to beautify the park.

CSN Ultimate Autograph Auction - Fans have the opportunity to bid on select packages of autographed items, including bats autographed by White Sox sluggers and various autographed items with significance to White Sox history. There also will be a "Team Chicago" package featuring jerseys and sports memorabilia autographed by players from the White Sox, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and Fire. The bidding will take place from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at whitesox.com/ultimateautographs.

Saturday, August 2, 6:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Minnesota

Special Olympics Baseball Clinic - Members of the White Sox Charities-supported Amateur City Elite (ACE) baseball teams will hold a baseball clinic with Special Olympics athletes at 11 a.m. at Armour Square Park. The ACE team members will partner one-on-one with the Special Olympians to participate in baseball skills stations with assistance from the Bulls/Sox Academy.

WGN Ultimate Experience Auction - Fans have the opportunity to bid on unique experiences, including: a day in the White Sox spring training camp, a behind-the-scenes look at a White Sox broadcast, a private hitting lesson with White Sox hitting coach Todd Steverson, a round of golf with White Sox coaches Mark Salas and Darryl Boston and more. The bidding will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at whitesox.com/ultimateauction.

Sunday, August 3, 1:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Minnesota

Military Family Recognition - The White Sox will recognize military families in a pregame ceremony, during which they will be presented with a commemorative White Sox coin. The families also will have the opportunity to be on the field during the singing of the National Anthem.

Picnic in the Park - The signature fan-favorite event will include an autograph session with the 2014 White Sox team, upscale barbecue buffet served from the warning track, a silent auction with unique experiences and White Sox memorabilia, and a private fireworks show viewed from the outfield grass. The event starts one hour after the game ends and will end at dusk. Tickets are available at whitesoxcharities.org.

Monday, August 4, 7:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Texas

Greater Chicago Food Depository Lunch Bus - Current White Sox players and Southpaw will accompany the Greater Chicago Food Depository Lunch Bus to serve lunch and visit with local children. They will make stops at The Resurrection Project at 11:30 a.m. and the McKinley Park Library at 12:40 p.m.   

Mystery Baseballs - Fans will be able to purchase "mystery baseballs" for $30 in Sections 135 and 535 at U.S. Cellular Field or online at whitesox.com/charitiesweek. Each baseball will be autographed, although fans will not know who signed the ball until they purchase it. Autographed baseballs in the sale include members of the current White Sox roster as well as manager Robin Ventura.

Tuesday, August 5, 7:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Texas

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital Visit - Several of the White Sox team members will visit the Family Life Center and hematology/oncology floor at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago at 11:30 a.m., where they will spend time with patients and distribute White Sox gift bags.

Car Raffle Ticket Sale - White Sox fans who purchase a raffle ticket for the chance to win a White Sox-themed 2014 Mazda3 i Touring hatchback will have the added opportunity to win autographed memorabilia and tickets to future White Sox games. Car raffle tickets will be available on the outfield concourse near centerfield.

Wednesday, August 6, 1:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Texas

White Sox Prize Wheel - Fans who make a $10 donation to White Sox Charities Week can take a spin on the White Sox prize wheel located on the concourse at Section 135 for the chance to win various prizes, including: autographed memorabilia, game tickets, game-used items and more.

Proceeds from Charities Week fundraisers benefit White Sox Charities, which provides annual financial, in-kind and emotional support to hundreds of Chicago-based organizations, including those who lead the fight against cancer and are dedicated to improving the lives of Chicago's youth through education and health and wellness programs, and offer support to children and families in crisis. In 2014, Chicago White Sox Charities awarded nearly $1.68 million in grants and other donations. The most recent contributions moved the team's non-profit arm to nearly $21 million in cumulative giving since its inception in 1990.

A complete overview of Charities Week events is available at whitesox.com/charitiesweek. Tickets to all six games (August 1-6) during Charities Week are available online at whitesox.com, via phone at 866-SOX-GAME and in person at the U.S. Cellular Field ticket office.