White Sox host fifth annual 'Charities Week'

CHICAGO - Chicago White Sox Charities Week, the club's annual fundraising campaign, will be celebrated during the team's upcoming homestand and runs from July 22-28. Charities Week engages fans attending games, as well as those following along from home. The first four Charities Weeks raised a combined total of more than $677,000. 

"The generosity of White Sox fans has made Charities Week a sustained success over the years," said Christine O'Reilly, executive director of Chicago White Sox Charities and White Sox senior director of community relations. "The special player activities and fundraising efforts planned for the week again will allow fans to interact with the team and support organizations that are doing tremendous work in the Chicagoland area."

Fans attending games during the week can participate in a number of unique fundraising activities. The schedule for 2013 fundraisers is as follows:

Monday, July 22, 7:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Detroit

Greg Luzinski Bobblehead Sale - Greg Luzinski Bobbleheads will be available for purchase for $30 at the Chicago White Sox Charities tables in sections 135 and 535. Fans also have the opportunity to bid on the Greg Luzinski Autograph Package, which includes an autographed bobblehead, ball and 1983 poster.

Tuesday, July 23, 7:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Detroit

ACE Team Mystery Brown Bag Sale - Members of the White Sox Charities-supported Amateur City Elite (ACE) baseball teams will be selling "mystery brown bags" for $30 with autographed baseballs inside. While each bag contains an autographed baseball, fans will not know who signed the ball until they purchase a bag. Autographed baseballs in the sale include current members of the White Sox and White Sox legends, such as Frank Thomas and Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk.

Wednesday, July 24, 7:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Detroit

Camoflauge Jerseys Auction  - Fans have the opportunity to bid on select autographed camouflage jerseys worn during the May 27 game. The bidding begins when gates open and runs through the top of the seventh inning. Jerseys also will be available on whitesox.com.

Thursday, July 25, 6 p.m. - White Sox "Wild Pitches" Event

Wild Pitches - White Sox Charities and the White Sox Wives will host a first-time variety show event - "Wild Pitches," presented by Magellan Corporation, at the Bridgeport Arts Center in Chicago. This special variety show gives fans the opportunity to watch members of the White Sox showcase their off-the-field talents, including a musical performance from Paul and Jennifer Konerko, as well as a comedy skit by the bullpen pitchers, among others. Tickets are available now at whitesoxcharities.org.

Friday, July 25, 7:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Kansas City

Flashback Friday Auction - Fans can bid on unique memorabilia from past White Sox team members and Old Comiskey Park. Some of the featured items include an autographed Bo Jackson baseball and hat, as well as a pair of green seats from the old ballpark. 

Saturday, July 27, 6:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Kansas City

The Ultimate Auction - Seven unique premium auction items will be featured during WGN-TV's television broadcast of that evening's game. Viewers can bid on the items throughout the game at whitesox.com/ultimatebid. Some of the items available include a Spring Training Trip, Old Comiskey Park package and a 1983 Memorabilia Collection.

Sunday, July 28, 1:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Kansas City

1983 Jerseys Off Our Back Auction - Fans can bid on 1983 jerseys worn and autographed by select players in that afternoon's White Sox game vs. Kansas City. The jerseys will be featured throughout Comcast SportsNet Chicago's broadcast of that day's game and bids can be placed at whitesox.com/jerseyauction.

Proceeds from Charities Week fundraiser benefit White Sox Charities, which provides annual financial, in-kind and emotional support to hundreds of Chicago-based organizations, including those leading the fight against cancer and dedicated to improving the lives of Chicago's youth through education, health and wellness programs, and offering support to children and families in crisis. 

Charities Week also includes a series of community outreach events which will be held from Monday, July 22 - Saturday, July 27. These service events all involve White Sox players and team personnel working in the community. The schedule for those service events is as follows:

Monday, July 22, 3 p.m. - White Sox Wives Visit Ronald McDonald House

Several of the White Sox Wives will visit the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children's, where they will bake and serve cookies to families and patients who are staying at the House. The White Sox and Ronald McDonald House recently established a partnership in which White Sox Charities made a significant donation to what is now the world's largest Ronald McDonald House.

Tuesday, July 23, 2:30 p.m. - #42 Screening for ACE Team

Members of the White Sox Charities-supported Amateur City Elite (ACE) baseball team will be treated to a viewing of #42, the biographical film about Jackie Robison. The team also will enjoy a visit from members of the White Sox coaching staff prior to the showing of the movie.

Wednesday, July 24, 11 a.m. - Jesse Brown VA Hospital Visit   

Several of the White Sox current and former team members will visit the Jesse Brown Medical Center in Chicago where they will spend time with patients and distribute White Sox gift bags.   

Saturday, July 27, 11 a.m. - Volunteer Corps Services Day, presented by FirstMerit Bank

White Sox personnel, members of the White Sox Volunteer Corps and employees from FirstMerit Bank will transform Fulton Elementary School on Chicago's south side. Members of the Volunteer Corps will paint, create murals and perform landscaping work and light construction to renovate and beautify the elementary school.

In 2013, Chicago White Sox Charities awarded nearly $1.64 million in grants and other donations. The most recent contributions moved the team's non-profit arm past $17 million in cumulative giving since its inception in 1990.

Tickets to all seven games (July 22-28) during Charities Week, and tickets to the first three games of the homestand (July 19-21) are available online at whitesox.com, via phone at 866-SOX-GAME and in person at the U.S. Cellular Field ticket office.