Comedy show benefits South Elgin cancer charity
A South Elgin charity organization is hoping big names in Chicago comedy help bring its mission to a wider audience.
Cal's Angels, a foundation dedicated to providing financial assistance to kids fighting cancer and their families, will get all the door proceeds from the Fab Four of Chicago Comedy's 30th anniversary show at Zanies Comedy Club in Rosemont.
WIND radio's Steve Cochran will host the show, which features Mike Toomey, John DaCosse and Tim Benker with animal guest Maroon Raccoon.
But Cal's Angels founder, Tom Sutter, said the fundraiser is about more than the money.
“The biggest thing is you hope that it develops more recognition for Cal's,” Sutter said.
At $20 per ticket in a 250-seat theater, Cal's could see $5,000 from ticket sales and extra money from a 50/50 raffle. Proceeds will go to help young people fighting terminal illnesses. Sutter's son Cal died of leukemia in 2006, prompting his family to start the foundation as a way to help other families going through similar struggles.
Cal's Angels does an annual toy drive and collects money for a 12 Days of Christmas program, buying gifts from the wish lists of young cancer patients. Both programs are gearing up for the 2012 holidays.
Cyndi Nelson, general manager of Zanies, worked in the comedy club's St. Charles location for 10 years, hosting hundreds of fundraisers for youth sports teams and a variety of nonprofit organizations. She is trying to start a similar tradition in the Rosemont location, which opened July 6.
“Zanies is a family owned company,” Nelson said. “We really are about a lot of community involvement in the areas that we're in.”
Toomey, DaCosse and Benker are three of Nelson's favorite comics and all are longtime performers in the Chicago area. The 90-minute show starts at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 for those 21 and older.
“It's going to be a lot of comedy for $20,” Nelson said.
Besides the ticket cost, audience members must purchase a minimum of two concession items during the show.
For details visit rosemont.zanies.com or calsangels.org.