Des Plaines residents and Zanies raise funds for local cause

The Whalen family and Rosemont-based Zanies Comedy Club recently worked together to raise nearly $5,000 to support the Des Plaines Community Foundation.

"This was our first year of doing this charity event for the Des Plaines Community Foundation," stated Dan and Jody Whalen. "But next year we plan to be even more successful with at least 200-plus guests."

According to the Whalens, who have lived in Des Plaines for 31 years, the profit from the Zanies fundraiser turned out to be about $4,670.

"Zanies Comedy Club and Cyndi Nelson, the general manager, worked with us to host this fundraiser and allowed the entire ticket price to go to the charity," said Dan Whalen. "All the event guests had to do was purchase a ticket and two items off the menu - such as a drink or an appetizer - and enjoy the show."

"We worked with Cyndi at Zanies about five weeks before the event and locked in the date," said Jody Whalen. "We had a little over 100 guests show up on a Thursday night, which was just great."

According to Rosemary Argus, the executive director of the Des Plaines Community Foundation, the Whalen's provided a very fun evening and raised a significant amount of funds for the foundation.

"We appreciate their good work," said Argus.

Another guest who hand a great time also remarked, "What a better way to break up the workweek and get a few laughs at the famous Zanies comedy club."

The Whalens are planning to hold the event again next year.

"I was happy and surprised at the turnout for the event, considering it was held during the week on a 'school night' in miserable weather. I think we can do even better next year," Dan Whalen said.

Jody Whalen prepared 15 raffle gift baskets that were packed with items from local businesses. The baskets also included gift cards and gift certificates.

There was a "Split-the-Pot" raffle and the Whalen's daughter Jessica won and donated the $250 prize to the Des Plaines Community Foundation.

Dan Whalen also did about five minutes of stand-up comedy at the event - reminiscing his younger days when he did open mic night at the old Rosemont Comedy Cottage in the mid-1980s.

The headliner at Zanies the night of the fundraiser was actor, writer and stand-up comic, Jamie Kaler from TBS comedy television show "My Boys." Kaler also had recurring roles on "Will & Grace," "The King of Queens," "Significant Others" and the Seth Green animated show "Robot Chicken."

His film credits include "The Family Stone," "Underclassmen" and "Spanglish." He has also appeared in more than 50 national television commercials. In 2007, he taped the TBS comedy special "Blue Collar Comedy: The Next Generation," which was also released as a comedy album.

The Des Plaines Community Foundation raises funds to identify, link and mobilize assets to support the service programs of the Des Plaines Healthy Community Partnership Programs whose activities improve the lives of those that live and work in Des Plaines.

Some of the programs include: Neighbors Helping Neighbors program committee, Healthy Community/Healthy Youth program committee, Intergenerational program committee, and Seasons of Service program committee.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors also delivered on about 500 requests for help from Des Plaines residents in need this year. The Neighbors Helping Neighbors program links community volunteers with residents in need of transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, yard and home care, installation of emergency response boxes, wheelchair ramps and decks.

Volunteers also provide transportation to Des Plaines residents. All residents have to do is call the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Hot Line, (888) 646-8898, and request help.

The foundation has no paid employees and is 100-percent volunteer. Foundation is a 501c3 organization and funds are obtained from individuals, businesses, and corporate tax-deductible contributions as well as from other foundations and applied for grants.

For information on becoming a student volunteer visit: www.DPCharties.org or www.desplainescommunityfoundation.org. Future volunteers can call Rosemary Argus at (847) 297-4932 or (847) 525-5566.

For information about Zanies comedy Club go to rosemont.zanies.com.