Lunch with Bears in Gages Lake

Seventh-graders Jesus Mendoza and Edis Cirkia never attended a Bears game, but Tuesday they did something that would make the most die-hard fan jealous eat lunch with some of their favorite players.

Sitting across from Brad Maynard, Charles Tillman, Patrick Mannelly, and other Bears over lunch, the students got to talk sports and ask any questions they wanted.

The players were guests at the annual Chicago Bears Wives' Holiday Party for Special Needs Kids at SEDOL's Gages Lake School. The event organized by the wives of players and coaches, along with the SEDOL Foundation, gives kids a chance to meet the players, try on their equipment, do crafts and have a question-and-answer session with players.

Janava Tait, wife of retired Bear John Tait, helped start the event a few years ago with Jackie Tillman and said it's gotten bigger and better each year.

“It's just nice to be able to give back because we are so blessed,” said Tamara Mannelly.

Many of the students had Robbie Gould's name on their jerseys, and the kicker jumped right in, taking pictures with students and answering questions.

“It's great to see kids smile and give back any time of the year,” Gould said. “But Christmas is especially a time of giving.”

In addition to the fun at the event, each student took home a goody bag for their family filled with necessities such as laundry detergent and food.

“This is the highlight of the year for a lot of these kids,” said Ann Subry, executive director of the SEDOL Foundation. “Most of them may never be able to go to a Bears game, but this is so fun for them.”

Other players at the event included Greg Olson, Anthony Adams and Desmond Clark.