Des Plaines residents and Zanies raise funds for local cause
Zanies Comedy Club and the Whalen family are celebrating the seventh year of working together to raise money to support the Des Plaines Community Foundation at Standup for Des Plaines VII, a special comedy night benefit Wednesday, May 14.
“This will be the seventh year of the charity event for the Des Plaines Community Foundation,” Dan and Jody Whalen said.
According to the Whalens, who have lived in Des Plaines for 38 years, the profit from last year’s Zanies fundraiser was nearly $8,500. All funds went to support the Des Plaines Community Foundation and its programs.
Standup for Des Plaines VII will be held at Zanies Comedy Club at 5437 Park Place in Rosemont. Tickets are $20. Attendees must be 21 or older with a proper ID. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. For tickets call Rosemary Argus, at (847) 525-5566; Dan Whalen, at (847) 343-6211; or Jody Whalen, at (847) 561-0726.
“Zanies Comedy Club and their general manager worked with us to host this fundraiser for the past seven years and allowed the entire ticket price to go to the charity,” Dan Whalen said. “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,” Argus said.
The comedy headliner at Standup for Des Plaines VII will be Chicago native Vince Carone. Chicago-based comedian Paul Farahvar will also be performing. Brian Hicks, one of the country's most sought-after stand-up comics, will be performing as well. Dan Whalen also plans to do about five minutes of stand-up comedy at the event, remembering his younger days when he did open mic night at the old Rosemont Comedy Cottage in the mid-1980s.
Jody Whalen will prepare a dozen or so raffle gift baskets packed with items from local businesses for guests. The baskets will include gift cards and gift certificates, and they will be selling raffle tickets. There also will be a “Split-the-Pot” raffle with a cash prize.
“Zanies has been very helpful in planning the date and the show,” said Jody Whalen. “We had more than 150 guests show up the past two years, which was just great.”
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, at (888) 646-8898, and request help.