Laugh it up at fundraiser for Volunteer Center

Officials with The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago specialize in matching interested volunteers with social service agencies and schools.

But it turns out they also dabble in comedy.

The son of Executive Director Mary Fitzgibbons, Brendan, is working at making it as a comic in New York City. The 25-year old comedian will be on hand Sunday, Oct. 12, when the agency hosts its first Clean Green Comedy Fundraiser.

It takes place at 7 p.m. at Schaumburg's Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court. The evening features open seating, with light, all organic refreshments - served on biodegradable dishware - raffle prizes, and clean comedy.

Fitzgibbons will serve as emcee for the evening, introducing the five stand-ups who will perform their sets. They include: Dan Polydoris, Joe Fernandez, John Markham, Beth Stelling, and the featured comedian, Michael Palascak.

Palascak i s a former host at Zanies Comedy Club in Chicago, and he recently was featured on Comedy Central, doing his bit at the Gotham Comedy Club in New York.

When Brendan Fitzgibbons broke into the Chicago comedy scene, as a new University of Iowa and Palatine High School graduate, Palascak was one of the first to encourage him.

Now, Fitzgibbons will be able to return the favor, as he introduces him to the Volunteer Center crowd.

"I think it will be a great chance to see some young, up and coming comedians," Brendan Fitzgibbons said in a phone interview from New York. "They're all newer comics, and will have kind of a different take on things, but it will make for good, overall vibes for the night."

Volunteer Center officials agree. They say they chose a comedy night fundraiser over a more traditional walk-a-thon or dinner dance, as a reflection of their rather informal style and generally upbeat style of helping others.

"We see it as a night of celebrating the spirit of helping others," says Jessica Herzog, Volunteer Center staff member.

The comedy night will kick off the Volunteer Center's 40th anniversary of serving the Northwest suburbs. At any given time, the agency maintains a database of more than 300 volunteer opportunities, drawn from the more than 140 social service agencies and schools they service.

Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at the door; visit volunteerinfo.net to purchase tickets or for more information.