Results tagged ‘ Wood Family Foundation ’
Woody’s Winter Warm-Up tickets on sale now
(Art by Jerry Neumann)
Kerry Wood has spent most of his adult life honing his craft as a major league pitcher. So excuse him if he’s not a world-class bartender.
On Jan. 18, you’ll get your chance to see him in action and critique his skills as he slings drinks at the second annual Woody’s Winter Warm-Up at Harry Caray’s Tavern on Navy Pier. Starting at 8:30 p.m., Wood will join former and current Cubs players, as well as local celebrities, behind the bar, where they will compete for tips with all proceeds benefitting the Wood Family Foundation. Wood said the event is a good time, and current players like Darwin Barney, Jeff Samardzija and James Russell are expected to attend.
“People want to give back and do it for a good cause,” Wood said. “Last year … people got really into it, and it was really cool.”
At the inaugural mixer in 2012, the Grammy-nominated band Plain White T’s performed. They even got a little help from former Cub Randy Wells and baseball president Theo Epstein on a few songs. The event raised more than $85,000, thanks to about 30 current and former players, who pitched in behind the bar or simply enjoyed the evening.
But don’t count on Wood to make you the best Old-Fashioned or dirty martini of your life, as he admits this probably won’t be a new career path.
“I’m really good at taking the tops of beers off with the opener,” Wood joked. “I pour a mean glass of wine, but I’m not a mixologist.”
Tickets are on sale now and in limited supply. For more information, visit woodfamilyfoundation.org.
Now Playing: Cubs, Kerry Wood break ground on new field
For years, Chicago Public League baseball teams haven’t had a true home-field advantage when the high school playoffs come around. Without a serviceable field to play on, city teams have been forced to trek out to the suburbs when the single-elimination tournament starts up each May. But that’s all about to change.
The Chicago Cubs Charities and the Wood Family Foundation broke ground on Kerry Wood Cubs Field Thursday, a high school baseball diamond located at Clark Park near Lane Tech High School about a mile west of Wrigley Field. The $5 million project should be completed in the first half of 2013. The stadium will seat 1,100 people and will have lights for potential night games.
Vine Line was there for the ceremony, where former Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood and Cubs co-owners Tom and Laura Ricketts spoke of the excitement surrounding this new venture.
A pitch for philanthropy
Art by Jerry Neumann, and story by Jordan Ramos. Featured in the upcoming August issue of Vine Line.
There’s no doubt that Kerry Wood has made an impact in Chicago ever since he was a 20-year-old rookie. But now, as one of the Cubs’ veteran leaders, Wood is looking to make an even wider impact with his new charitable foundation.
In late June, Kerry and his wife, Sarah, announced the creation of the Wood Family Foundation, an organization that will benefit children’s charities throughout Chicagoland. They were joined by their three young children.
“Sarah and I have committed ourselves to Chicago, and I would like to use my success on and off the field to help grow a foundation that will make a difference in a child’s life,” Wood said.
Two of the foundation’s initial projects will be a playroom for children receiving cancer treatment at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and a high school baseball field for students in an underserved area. Clothing, school-supply and toy drives will also be sponsored by the Wood family. (more…)
