Chicago Bear Rashied Davis comes to aid of WINGS

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rashied Davis will be the celebrity spokesman for the Chicago Dream Home Raffle, a fundraiser to support Women in Need Growing Stronger (WINGS) domestic violence services. Davis will appear in commercials promoting the charity raffle and pull the winning grand prize ticket on March 28.

Davis is president for the Rashied Davis Charities whose mission is to teach students how to overcome obstacles to success through inspiration, preparation and discipline.

WINGS is partnering with Homes for Hope and HomeAid Chicago in the fundraiser. Ticket purchases also support Haiti recovery efforts. Homes for Hope is an affiliate of Hope International, who is providing ongoing assistance to disaster victims in Haiti.

"WINGS needs this raffle to succeed so that we can keep our Safe House open to women and children who have nowhere safe to go," said the agency's executive director, Rebecca Darr. "We are extremely grateful to Rashied and Dianna Davis for their help to make it a success."

Raffle ticket holders have a chance to win a $1 million home and also qualify for numerous other prizes. Each raffle ticket costs $100 and can be purchased at chicagodreamhomeraffle.com.

WINGS, based in northwest Cook County and Lake County, offers transitional housing, emergency shelter, and outreach services. The Safe House, a 15,000-square-foot facility that opened in January of 2005, has helped more than 1,000 individuals escape abusive relationships.

The facility can house up to 45 clients each night, but currently is only open to 30 people due to funding shortfalls.

WINGS also provides therapeutic counseling, career assistance and access to other resources. In addition to the Safe House, the agency has 25 apartments and homes. In all, WINGS provided close to 44,000 nights of shelter for clients last year. More information is at wingsprogram.com.