Sports enthusiasts raise funds to help mentally ill
A Schaumburg dentist and his extended family carried on their late father's legacy earlier this month, in raising money to battle mental illness.
Dr. Jack Keehan, a Hoffman Estates resident, served as event chairman of the eighth annual Bill Keehan Memorial Golf Open, which took place Aug. 1 at Randall Oaks Golf Club in West Dundee and drew 80 supporters.
It was started by his father, the late Bill Keehan Sr. who conceived the idea of the golf outing to draw a wider base of support for the Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health in Arlington Heights.
"We have family coming together from all parts of the country to support a cause for which my dad was passionate about, and one that we have adopted as our own," Keehan said.
"Our goal is to raise as much as we can," Keehan added, "to help those who, through no fault of their own, are recovering from mental illness."
Sports was the centerpiece of the event, even beyond the scramble outing. Chicago television and radio sportscaster, Pat Boyle, of Comcast SportsNet and 104.3 JACK FM served as master of ceremonies after playing in the outing.
He helped drive up the bidding on such sports memorabilia as a baseball signed by legendary Cubs player, Andy Pafko, as well as other entertainment packages.
A highlight of the auction was a one-of-a-kind bat bench, made by former White Sox player and Schaumburg Flyers Manager, Ron Kittle, who created the novelty out of Major League Baseball bats, balls and bases.
It drew the most spirited bidding of the evening, and finally went to the Rev. Terry Keehan, pastor of St. Matthias Catholic Church in Chicago.
His friends quipped that if the Cubs indeed make it to the World Series, Keehan must display the bench prominently in the church, perhaps even near the altar in order to break the club's curse.
Since 1962, Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health has provided outpatient treatment for Northwest suburban residents struggling with mental disabilities or emotional disorders.
Its programs include a women-centered mental health program, vocational services and treatment exclusively for children and adolescents.
Proceeds from the outing netted more than $35,000 and will help cover the cost of treatment for uninsured or underinsured clients, or those who cannot otherwise afford services.
For more information on the center, visit: www.alexiancenter.org.