CHICAGO — The Jackson Chance Foundation is gearing up for its 11th annual Ping Pong Ball, set to take place on Friday, November 7, at SPIN Chicago.
This event, celebrated as one of Chicago’s most distinctive and engaging fundraisers, will feature a table tennis tournament in a March Madness style. The competition will be led by notable figures from Chicago’s sports and media scenes, including former Chicago Bear Jerry Azumah, ex-Chicago Cub Randy Wells, USA Olympian Olivia Smoliga, and CHSN’s Annie Agar.
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“Celebrating the 11th year of the Ping Pong Ball, we reflect on the significance of the number 11 for the Jackson Chance Foundation,” stated Carrie Meghie, the foundation’s founder. “It symbolizes a legacy created in Jackson’s honor, emphasizing love, resilience, and the idea that every NICU family should have the opportunity to be with their newborns. This event transcends mere entertainment; it serves as a crucial support for families facing the emotional and financial challenges of a NICU stay. Each year, our participants strengthen Jackson’s legacy by aiding us in eliminating one of the most significant obstacles NICU families encounter.”
The foundation was established by Carrie and Terry Meghie in memory of their son, Jackson Chance, who spent nearly ten months in the NICU. The Meghies recognized the financial burden many families faced due to parking costs and founded the organization to offer free monthly parking for NICU families at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, Northwestern Prentice Women’s Hospital, and Rush University Children’s Hospital, ensuring 24/7 access to their infants. The foundation is also looking to extend its services to Comer Children’s Hospital.
The Ping Pong Ball seamlessly blends lively competition with an extraordinary evening that includes gourmet snacks, craft cocktails, a live auction, and more. Guests will enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of SPIN’s expansive 18,000-square-foot ping pong social club in River North, while supporting a cause that significantly affects thousands of families.
The event’s proceeds will support the Jackson Chance Foundation’s NICU Transportation Program, which collaborates with hospitals to alleviate the parking cost burden for families with critically ill infants. Annually, the Foundation assists over 3,000 families by providing nearly 100,000 complimentary parking passes, ensuring parents can remain by their child’s side around the clock, offering the love, care, and advocacy essential for every NICU infant.
The evening will also feature a live auction with one-of-a-kind experiences. Highlights include a private chef’s dinner, prepared in-home by “Top Chef” finalist and Monteverde Executive Chef Bailey Sullivan and Chef Jacob Lewis of LPM Kitchen, paired with a bespoke cocktail service by Present Tense Bar.
THE JACKSON CHANCE IMPACT
- A $300 donation can save a NICU family over $1,000 in monthly parking costs.
- Three Hospitals: Everyday, JCF provides 260 parking passes to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, Northwestern’s Prentice Women’s Hospital, and Rush University Children’s Hospital. The nonprofit hopes to expand to Comer Children’s Hospital to help even more families.
- To date, JCF has raised over $8.1 million, providing 883,000 days of parking and impacting 26,000 families. Each year, the foundation offers more than 96,700 days of parking and helps over 3,000 families.
If you would like to support, visit www.jacksonchance.org
