The Chicago CEO COVID-19 Coalition again hosted their Sweet Home Chicago Telethon and was rebroadcast on NBC Sports Chicago this past Sunday, May 24th at 12 pm CDT, and Monday, May 25 at 2:30 pm CDT. The telethon, originally broadcast on May 16, is also available on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Founded and led by John Koudounis, the Coalition is uniting Chicago business leaders in a humanitarian campaign for COVID-19 relief and recovery benefiting ten Chicago charities in four critical areas: food; shelter/homelessness; counseling services; and PPE.
“We welcome NBC Sports Chicago’s rebroadcast of the show as we continue to promote our campaign in support of our city’s’ relief and recovery. So many of Chicago’s great athletes, celebrities and musicians have come together with the business community to recognize our local heroes and help our fellow Chicagoans in need. This weekend’s broadcasts will further our aim to promote awareness and raise additional funds,” Koudounis said.
Musical performances include Common and the classic rock band Chicago, along with Jeff Tweedy, Jamila Woods, the O’My’s with Kevin Coval, and the Chicago Children’s Choir. Bob Odenkirk, Buddy Guy, D.B. Sweeney, Jenny McCarthy, Donnie Wahlberg, Vic Mensa, Billy Zane and other Chicago celebrities make appearances.
Sweet Home Chicago also features many Chicago sports stars from the Bulls, Blackhawks, White Sox, Cubs and Bears. The ’85 Bears Steve McMichael, Otis Wilson and Kevin Butler appear, along with star athletes and sports legends including Horace Grant, Zach LaVine and Toni Kukoc of the Chicago Bulls; Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks; Paul Konerko of the White Sox; Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg and Joe Maddon of the Chicago Cubs; and Brian Urlacher of the Bears. In addition, the telethon spotlights deserving local heroes who are giving back and making a difference.
Chicago charities receiving the donations raised are the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund; Greater Chicago Food Depository; the Salvation Army Metropolitan Division; The Night Ministry; Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Chicago; Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago; Jewish United Fund; Metropolitan Family Services; the 100 Club of Chicago; and Howard Brown Health.
The Coalition has received broad support from Chicago’s business community. Joining with Calamos Investments as Founding Circle Members, the highest sponsorship level, are Wintrust Bank, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios and Hightower Advisors. Additional sponsors and benefactors include GCM Grosvenor, Northern Trust, Madison Dearborn Partners, Mesirow Financial, Astor Investment Management, PNC, UBS, CIBC, Guggenheim Partners, Republic Bank of Chicago, and Hub International, among others.
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