Des Plaines Residents and Zanies Raise Funds Thursday, April 5, 2018 for a Local Cause

Zanies Comedy Club and the Whalen family are working together to raise money to support the Des Plaines Community Foundation at Standup for Des Plaines III, a special comedy night benefit Thursday, April 5, 2018.

"This will be the third year of charity event for the Des Plaines Community Foundation," explained Dan and Jody Whalen.

According to the Whalens, who have lived in Des Plaines for 32 years, the profit from last year's Zanies fundraiser turned out to be nearly $5,000. All went to support the Des Plaines Community Foundation and its programs.

Standup for Des Plaines III will be held at Zanies Comedy Club at 5437 Park Place in Rosemont IL. Tickets are $20. Everyone must be 21 or over with a proper ID. The show starts at 8 p.m. For tickets call Rosemary Argus 847-525-5566 or Dan Whalen 847-561-0726.

"Zanies Comedy Club and Cyndi Nelson, the general manager, worked with us to host this fundraiser for the past three years and allowed the entire ticket price to go to the charity," said Dan Whalen. "All event guests have to do is purchase a ticket and two items off the menu-such as a drink or an appetizer-and enjoy the show."

According to Rosemary Argus, the executive director of the Foundation, the Whalen's provide a very fun evening and raised a significant amount of funds for the Foundation.

"We appreciate their good work," said Argus.

The comedy headliner at Standup for Des Plaines III will be Andy Woodhull with his unique style.

Few comedians are lucky enough to make their television debut on Comedy Central's "Live at Gotham," but after being invited to perform at Montreal's "Just For Laughs Comedy Festival" and 'The Great American Comedy Festival' in the same year, Andy Woodhull easily earned the distinction.

Woodhull is a previous winner of the "Best of the Midwest Competition" at "Gilda's Laugh Fest," the "Butterfinger Comedy Showdown," the "Carnival Comedy Challenge" and the St. Louis leg of the "Laugh Across America Contest." You've also heard Andy on "The Bob and Tom Show" and seen him as a semi-finalist on CMT's "Next Big Comic."

His 2012 album "Lucy" was named among the Top 10 of the Year by comedyreviews.com. He prides himself on his writing and always delivers with hilarious new material.

"Cyndi at Zanies has been very helpful in planning the date and the show," said Jody Whalen. "We had a little over 150 guests show up the past two years, which was just great."

Dan Whalen also plans to do about five minutes of stand-up comedy at the event-reminiscing his younger days when he did open mic night at the old Rosemont COMEDY Cottage in the mid-1980s.

Another guest who hand a great time also remarked, "What a better way to break up the work week and get a few laughs at the famous Zanies comedy Club."

Jody Whalen will prepare a dozen or so raffle gift baskets packed with items from local businesses for guests. The baskets will included gift cards and gift certificates.

There also will be a "Split-the-Pot" raffle with a $250 prize as well.

The Des Plaines Community Foundation raises funds to identify, link and mobilize assets to support the service programs of the Des Plaines Healthy Community Partnership Programs whose activities improve the lives of those that live and work in Des Plaines.

Some of the programs include: Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program Committee, Healthy Community/Healthy Youth Program Committee, Intergenerational Program Committee, and Seasons of Service program Committee.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors also delivered on about 500 requests for help from Des Plaines residents in need this year. The NHN Program links community volunteers with residents in need of transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, yard and home care, installation of emergency response boxes, wheelchair ramps and decks.

Volunteers also provide transportation to Des Plaines residents. All residents have to do is call the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Hot Line (1-888-646-8898) and request help.

The foundation has no paid employees and is 100-percent volunteer.

Foundation is a 501c3 organization and funds are obtained from individuals, businesses, and corporate tax-deductible contributions as well as from other foundations and applied for grants.

For tickets call Rosemary Argus 847-525-5566 or Dan Whalen 847-561-0726.

For more information on becoming volunteer visit: www.DPCharties.org or www.desplainescommunityfoundation.org. Or for more information about Zanies comedy Club go to http://rosemont.zanies.com.