White Sox host fourth annual 'Charities Week'

CHICAGO - Chicago White Sox Charities Week, the club's annual fundraising campaign, arrives during the team's next homestand and runs from August 6-12.  Charities Week engages fans attending games, as well as those following along from home.  The first three Charities Weeks raised a combined total of more than $488,000.  

"The generosity of White Sox fans has made Charities Week an incredible 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.  In addition, any fan who donates $50 or more to White Sox Charities online at whitesox.com during the week will receive an autographed team-member photograph and will be entered in to a drawing to win an Ultimate White Sox Outing which includes four Premium Lower Box tickets and the chance to take a photo on the field with a White Sox Player prior to a game.  

The schedule for in-game 2012 fundraisers is highlighted by an appearance from former third baseman and member of the 2005 World Series Champion team, Joe Crede, and is as follows:

Monday, August 6, 7:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Kansas City
Jerseys Off Our Backs Auction - Fans at the game can bid on jerseys worn and autographed by select players in that evening's White Sox starting lineup vs. Kansas City.  Bids can be placed behind home plate on the 100-level at U.S. Cellular Field.

Tuesday, August 7, 7:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Kansas City
Joe Crede Bobblehead Sale - Autographed Joe Crede Bobbleheads will be available for purchase for $40.  The bobbleheads will be available on the outfield concourse near center field.  Crede himself will be in attendance selling raffle tickets to win the 2012 White Sox Smart Passion Coupe, and those fans who purchase a raffle ticket from the former third baseman will receive a Crede autograph.

Wednesday, August 8, 7:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Kansas City
ACE Team Auction - Members of the White Sox Charities-supported Amateur City Elite (ACE) baseball teams will assist with an auction of unique autographed memorabilia acquired from White Sox current team members. Fans can bid on these one-of-a-kind collectibles on the 100-level behind home plate.

Friday, August 10, 7:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Oakland
Wives Brown Bag Sale - Wives of White Sox players will be on the 100 and 500-levels selling "mystery brown bags" 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.

The week culminates with specially televised in-game online auctions featuring premium prizes:

Saturday, August 11, 6:05 p.m. - White Sox vs. Oakland
The Ultimate Auction - Seven unique premium auction items will be featured during WGN-TV's television broadcast of that evening's game.  Viewers will be able to bid on the items throughout the game at whitesox.com/ultimatebid.  Some of the items available include a Spring Training Trip or a Hitting Lesson Package which includes a training session with hitting coach Jeff Manto, meet-and-greet with Adam Dunn and chance to hit on the field.

Sunday, August 12, 1:10 p.m. - White Sox vs. Oakland
White Sox Wives Basket Auction - There will be several unique and premium baskets assembled by the White Sox Wives available through an auction during Comcast SportsNet Chicago's broadcast of that day's game.  Viewers will be able to bid on the baskets throughout the game at whitesox.com/baskets.  The baskets will feature the favorite things of select White Sox players and coaches.  Each basket will include such items as their favorite video games, clothes, food, wine and even apparel from their other favorite sports teams.  

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 or dedicated to improving the lives of Chicago's youth through education and athletics.  

Charities Week also includes a series of community outreach events which will be held from Monday, August 6 - Friday, August 10.  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, August 6, Noon - Lunch with the Military
Pitchers Jesse Crain, Jake Peavy and Matt Thornton will be at U.S. Cellular Field to host 20 members from the USO for lunch and mingling.  The lunch also will feature some friendly competition in games like darts, air hockey, pool, etc.

Tuesday, August 7, 10:30 a.m. - Player Hospital Visit
White Sox players will visit and spend time with patients at Comer Children's Hospital at the University of Chicago.  There also will be a check presentation from Chicago White Sox Charities to the hospital.  

Wednesday, August 8, 11 a.m. - Anti-Bullying Presentation    
Infielders Gordon Beckham and Alexei Ramirez are scheduled to visit the General Wood Boys & Girls Club in the Little Village neighborhood where they will participate in a discussion about bullying and read an anti-bullying book to the nearly 60 children in attendance.

Friday, August 10, 10:00 a.m.  - KaBOOM! Playground Build
White Sox personnel and members of the White Sox Volunteer Corps will team up with the Salvation Army, organizers from KaBOOM! and residents of the local community to build a new playground at the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center. The new playground's design is based on drawings created by children who participated in a Design Day event in June.   

In 2012, Chicago White Sox Charities awarded nearly $1.41 million in grants and other donations.  The most recent contributions move the team's non-profit arm to nearly $17 million in cumulative giving since its inception in 1990.

Tickets to all six games (August 6-12) during Charities Week, and tickets to the first three games of the homestand (August 3-5) are available online at whitesox.com, via phone at 866-SOX-GAME and in person at the U.S. Cellular Field ticket office.