Windy City Bulls raises money for bushfires, deaf awareness
Several organizations shared the spotlight during the Jan. 25 Windy City Bulls game at Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, resulting in an action-packed night that featured inspiring singers, dunking mascots and a team-led fundraiser for the devastating Australian bushfires.
The game against the Grand Rapids Drive was Deaf Awareness Night - a benefit for the Illinois Association of the Deaf (IAD) - Scout Night and Faith and Family Night.
Before the game, participants buzzed around the arena to take part in various activities, including working on Cards of Hope for cancer patients through Phil's Friends, a nonprofit based in Roselle. The organization helps cancer patients in several ways, including care packages.
"Faith and Family Night is a chance to get our name out to the community and make sure our services are being utilized," said Alma Aquila, donor volunteer experience coordinator for Phil's Friends.
Just before the start of the game, a youth choir sang "God Bless America," followed by a rendition of the national anthem by the Glory Singers of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake.
"It's pretty cool," said Izzy Gray, an eighth-grader at Immanuel Lutheran School and a member of the Glory Singers. "It's kind of nerve-racking but it's pretty fun."
K-Love/Air1 Radio and Moody Radio stations led activities during Faith and Family Night.
"Faith and Family Night is a tremendous opportunity for us to meet listeners in person and hear how we've impacted their life, as well as thank them for being part of the Moody Radio family," said Moody Radio Station Manager Matt McNeilly.
More than 400 Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts participated in various activities, including a pregame event. Some unfurled a large American flag during the national anthem. Members of Pack 36 from West Dundee enjoyed all the activities, including time in the Fun Zone, said Cubmaster Frank Lorenz.
During the anthem and at other parts of the game, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters were at key parts of the arena and shown on the large screen to help deaf individuals understand what was being sung and said. The team also had a Gus T. Bull Bobblehead Giveaway that featured the mascot making the sign of a bull in ASL as well as jerseys that spelled "Windy City" in ASL on the front that was auctioned as part of a fundraiser for IAD.
"We do appreciate the spotlight from the organization," said IAD President Corey Axelrod.
More than 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents, and an event like Deaf Awareness Night is important to them, IAD officials said, because they can see their language being used and aspects of their culture being celebrated and recognized.
Bulls Head Coach Damian Cotter was thankful for the team's fundraiser to assist victims of the devastating bushfires. A portion of ticket purchases were donated to the Australian Red Cross.
"I feel really proud to be part of this organization," said Cotter, a native of the Melbourne, Australia area. "I'm grateful we rallied around it."