If you missed the February 7, 2004, "Oscar Evening with Richard Roeper," you missed the party of the year!

 

Held at the beautiful Rush Street nightclub, Le Passage, the event sold out by January 31, 2004, and we felt horrible having to turn people away.

 

Guests enjoyed cocktails including Vox Vodka, Vox Raspberry and Knob Creek (courtesy of Future Brands/Bob Lanigan) Kuya Fusion Rum (courtesy of Chuck Weissberg and Rick Ruane at Allied Domecq), Budweiser (courtesy of Jeff Schmidt at Anheuser-Busch) and Pepsi (courtesy of Kora Chang of Pepsi and Mike Polisky of the Chicago Rush Arena Football team), as well as appetizers from our friends at Le Passage.  A special thank you to Joe King, Billy Dec, Nicole Salerno and Tracy Lindskoog at Le Passage.

 

With your help, we raised approximately $75,000 for neuroblastoma research.  Of that amount, approximately $25,000 was raised through the silent and live auction.  Auction items included an autographed, 1980, USA Olympic hockey team jersey, VIP tickets to "Will and Grace," a season pass for two to Loews Cineplex Theaters, and unique sports and entertainment memorabilia.

Special thanks to our good friend, ESPN's Harry Teinowitz for officiating during the live auction, and Comcast's Lisa Aprati, a longtime FFS friend, for filming the event for Comcast. 

 

We are grateful to the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation, as well as Comcast, for sponsoring this event.  A big thank you to the Chicago Wolves and Chicago Rush for their continuing support.

 

Of course, this event would not have been possible without the help of our good friend and board member, Richard Roeper.  Mr. Roeper graciously emceed the event, and provided his expert sneak peek at the Oscars, interacting with the crowd.  Thumbs up to Rich.

 

We are also grateful to Dr. Susan Cohn and Dr. Morris Kletzel, who were on hand to speak with our guests regarding the neuroblastoma research being conducted at Children's Memorial Hospital.