News

Gages Lake School has a Bear-y Christmas

Posted December 07, 2008 10:00 pm

By Gilbert R. Boucher II

Bridget Orton, wife of Bears quarterback Kyle Orton, serves pizza to Ethan Trobaugh, 12, at the holiday party with the Bears for SEDOL and Sally Potter School children at Gages Lake School in Grayslake. The event was sponsored and organized by the wives of Bears players. Gilber R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer

With the sounds of ho-ho-ho and a growl, Santa Claus entered the holiday party with four bears in tow.

Chicago Bears, that is.

The Special Education District of Lake County Foundation held its annual Chicago Bears Wives' Holiday Party for Special Needs Children at Gages Lake School on Dec. 2.

The event - co-sponsored by Jenava Tait, wife of Bears offensive lineman John Tait, and Tamara Mannelly, wife of Bears center Patrick Mannelly - aimed to help emotionally and behaviorally disabled children attending SEDOL's Gages Lake School and Sally Potter School in Mundelein.

"I really enjoy working with special education students and it is just neat to be able to bring holiday spirit to these children," Tamara Mannelly said.

The party featured a holiday lunch of pizza, salad and brownies, hands-on craft projects and holiday singing and music.

Santa Claus was also on hand to listen to the children's Christmas gift requests.

"Everyone at the school is really looking forward to our Bears Wives' holiday party, and the players really light up when they get around the kids," said Ann Subry, executive director of the SEDOL Foundation.

The children were overjoyed when Chicago Bears players John Tait, Patrick Mannelly, Kyle Orton and Alex Brown made their appearances.

The players sat down with the children, talking about the holidays and eating pizza. Later, they answered questions posed by the students about the Bears and the football season thus far.

"It's nice just to be here and it is exciting for the kids and so they enjoy it and it is a lot of fun," John Tait said.

"It has been getting bigger every year and so more people have been helping out and we can get a lot of nice things for the kids."

The party ended with each child receiving presents from the Bears, along with gifts for their siblings and parents.

Party organizers Jenava Tait, wife of Bears player John Tait, and Tamara Mannelly, wife of Bears player Patrick Mannelly, talk before the start of the party. Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer

Defensive lineman Alex Brown has a good-natured stare down with Scott Bogdala, 6, left, and Mateo Rivera, 7. Gilber R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer

Chicago Bears quarterback Kyle Orton enjoys the questions from the kids. At right, Bridget Orton, Kyle's wife, serves pizza to Ethan Trobaugh, 12. Gilber R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer

Santa Claus has a laugh with Bears offensive lineman John Tait. Gilber R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer

Santa Claus arrives with Chicago Bears players Alex Brown, center, and Kyle Orton at a holiday party with the Bears for SEDOL and Sally Potter School children at Gages Lake School in Grayslake. Gilber R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer

Jackie Tillman, left, Jenava Tait and Karimar Brown serve pizza and brownies to Kendrick Augillard, 10, and other children. Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Photo Galleries</h2> <ul class="gallery"> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=9&type=slideshow&item=46">Holiday party with Bears players </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>

Article Comments

Article Categories
Chicago Bears Communities Counties Gages Lake Lake County News Pro Sports

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.