Barbecue fundraiser to benefit Woodridge tornado victims

Two months after a tornado struck Woodridge, the village is hosting a barbecue Wednesday to raise funds for families still reeling from the damage caused by the late-night twister.

Proceeds from the event, "A Woodridge Do Good BBQ," at the Seven Bridges Golf Club will go toward a relief fund established by the Woodridge Rotary Club in support of tornado victims.

The entertainment lineup features The CoverGirls Violin Show, a quintet of electric violinists who have shared the stage with the band Chicago and whose repertoire spans classic rock and pop.

Seven Bridges Golf Club, Doggie Diner and Cold Stone Creamery will be serving menu items. Prizes will be raffled. Phil Rogers, a reporter at NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5, is slated to serve as master of ceremonies during the fundraiser from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

"This friendraiser is sure to be enjoyable and memorable," Mayor Gina Cunningham said in a statement. "As Woodridge continues to recover, rebuild and replant, we know that Woodridge is stronger together."

On the night of June 20, the tornado touched down on the western edge of the Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville and churned east through Woodridge.

Survey teams of National Weather Service meteorologists said they found concentrated damage between Woodridge Drive and Basswood Lane, an area where numerous homes lost several walls and apartment buildings lost large portions of roofing materials.

The village's community development department completed an assessment of homes, identifying more than 400 with at least some damage.

Organizers of Wednesday's fundraiser say attendance is limited to 200. Tickets cost $50 and are still available for sale through the rotary club website at woodridgerotary.org.

For questions, call (630) 719-2903.