The Chicago White Sox today announced cumulative charitable donations of nearly $2.2 million over the past year. Donations include $725,500 in grants to 30 Chicagoland non-profit organizations through the White Sox Community Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund. In addition, Chicago White Sox Charities (CWSC) awarded additional grants totaling $170,000 to nine agencies providing services throughout the community. The Chicago White Sox Community Fund is supported through a major grant from CWSC and matching funds provided by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
CWSC also made donations totaling nearly $1.3 million to support the White Sox urban youth baseball initiatives - including the successful Amateur City Elite (ACE) and White Sox Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) programs - and to fund non-profit organizations, such as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the University of Chicago Urban Labs. This year's grant donations, coupled with other charitable donations, move the team's total giving to more than $30 million since the inception of CWSC in 1990.u5:p
"For more than 25 years, White Sox players and staff have been dedicated to giving back to the Chicagoland community," said Christine O'Reilly, Chicago White Sox Charities executive director. "Today, we celebrate this ongoing commitment by announcing grant donations and charitable contributions to organizations that share our passion for making our hometown a better place to live, work and play."u5:p
"White Sox Charities continues to be such a positive force, uplifting individuals, families and neighborhoods across the city and suburbs," said David Hiller, president and CEO of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. "Together with the White Sox organization, we are proud to invest in great organizations that create, engage and expand services that make lasting change."u5:p
The White Sox celebrated today's announcement with Gilda's Club, one of the 2018 grant recipients. White Sox outfielder Nicky Delmonico joined Gilda's Club members to participate in a BeMoved® dance class, which uses dance and music to enrich the well-being of people with all movement abilities. All organizations receiving grants will be recognized during Sox Serve Week (June 11-17) in a special on-field ceremony prior to the June 17 game vs. Detroit.u5:p
Grants are made possible by generous contributions from White Sox corporate partners, fans and matching funds from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Fans can show their support in 2018 through an array of CWSC fundraising efforts, including Sox Split and car raffle tickets available in park as well as silent auctions and special events throughout the year. Fans are encouraged to mark their calendars for the third annual $25 for 25 campaign, which will be held from noon on Thursday, August 2, through 1 p.m. on Friday, August 3. Additional information about $25 for 25 is available at whitesox.com/25for25.
The grant recipients represent a list of causes and organizations across the Chicago metropolitan area that are committed to the fight against cancer, dedicated to improving the lives of youth through education and athletics, assisting at-risk children and families and supporting health and wellness programs.