Stand Up for Des Plaines VIII, a fundraiser April 22 at Zanies in Rosemont
Zanies Comedy Club and the Whalen family are celebrating the eighth year of working together to raise money to support the Des Plaines Community Foundation at Stand Up for Des Plaines VIII, a special benefit comedy night Wednesday, April 22.
“Last year we had a great turnout and raised about $5,000 at the charity event at Zanies,” Jody 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.”
Stand Up for Des Plaines VIII 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 Jody Whalen, at (847) 561-0726, or Dan Whalen, at (847) 343-6211.
“The Whalens host a fabulously fun evening at Zanies and through it have raised thousands of dollars for the Des Plaines Community Foundation and the very important programs that we provide and support,” said Dina Argus, the executive director of the foundation. “We are incredibly grateful for their dedication to this foundation and all of the hard work they put into this special event.”
“Events like this remind us that when a community comes together, even over a few laughs, we can make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors,” said Rich Holke, president of the foundation. “That’s what the Des Plaines Community Foundation is all about,”
The comedy headliner at Stand Up for Des Plaines VIII will be Jeanie Doogan. Her humor ranges from sweet and nostalgic to edgy and adult-themed. Doogan’s quick observations and no-apology take on teaching, motherhood and American culture sets herself apart from her peers. Her sharp wit draws on her experiences growing up on the south side of Chicago and her years as a public school teacher. Her comedy reaches audiences of all ages, genders and walks of life.
The Chicago Tribune called Doogan’s comedy perspective “fresh” in a recent review. She has entertained audiences at colleges, casinos, and corporate events, in addition to legendary venues throughout the United States. She was recently featured in “Chicago Parents’ Magazine’s Four of Chicago’s Funniest: Stand Up Parents,” as well as featured on Nick Jr.’s “Moms’ Night Out” stand up special.
Patty Vaccarella is a Chicago-area-based stand-up comedian. She has produced shows in both the city and suburbs, many for local animal rescue and human rights organizations. She is an ensemble member of Beast Women, Chicago’s longest running all female variety revue.
Vaccarella loves to share her life experience, with her own slightly twisted spin. Her comedy is observational, as well as educational. Life is her inspiration.
John DaCosse, previously a regular on the Steve Cochran morning show on WGN Radio, will be performing at the event.
DaCosse and his character voices have been heard nationwide, and he has opened for big names like Ellen DeGeneres, George Lopez, Craig Ferguson and Billy Gardell and has appeared on NBC, Comedy Central and TBS.
He has served as an audience warm-up for many television shows including the Rosie O’Donnell and Oprah Winfrey Shows and can be seen at Zanies in the Chicagoland area, and all Funnybone and Improv comedy clubs across the United States.
Dan Whalen also plans to do about five minutes of stand-up comedy at the event, recalling his younger days when he did open mic night at the old Rosemont COMEDY Cottage in the mid-1980s.
Jody Whalen plans to 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. Top raffle prizes are a 43-inch flat screen television, a Blackstone tabletop grill and a gardening kit. There also will be a “Split-the-Pot” raffle with a cash prize.
“Zanies Comedy Club and their fundraising coordinator Kathy Catania worked with us to host the event and allowed the entire ticket price to go to the charity,” Dan Whalen said.
“Zanies in Rosemont have been very helpful in planning the date and the show,” Jody Whalen said. “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.
The Neighbors Helping Neighbors 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, (888) 646-8898, and request help.
The Foundation is a 501c3 organization and funds are obtained from individuals, businesses, corporate tax-deductible contributions, and other foundations and applied for grants.
For more information or to donate or volunteer go to desplainescommunityfoundation.org or email at dpcfnhn@gmail.com.