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The Jackson Chance Foundation is set to host its 11th annual Ping Pong Ball on Friday, November 7, at SPIN Chicago, promising an unforgettable evening for attendees.
This event, celebrated as one of Chicago’s most distinctive and engaging fundraisers, will feature a table tennis tournament styled after March Madness. The competition boasts captains from the ranks of Chicago’s sports elite and media figures, including former Chicago Bear Jerry Azumah, ex-Chicago Cub Randy Wells, USA Olympian Olivia Smoliga, and CHSN’s Annie Agar.
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“As we celebrate the 11th edition of the Ping Pong Ball, the significance of the number 11 is not lost on us,” said Carrie Meghie, the founder of the Jackson Chance Foundation. “It symbolizes a legacy in Jackson’s name, characterized by love, resilience, and the belief that every NICU family deserves to remain close to their newborns. This event transcends being just entertainment; it serves as a critical support system for families facing the emotional and financial burdens of NICU stays. Annually, our guests reinforce Jackson’s legacy by helping eliminate a significant obstacle for NICU families.”
The foundation was established by Carrie and Terry Meghie in honor of their son, Jackson Chance, who spent most of his ten months in the NICU. They observed the financial pressure many families face due to parking expenses and created the foundation 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 they can be with their babies anytime. The foundation aspires to extend this support to Comer Children’s Hospital.
The Ping Pong Ball is a blend of spirited competition and a night filled with culinary delights, craft cocktails, a live auction, and more. Participants will enjoy the vibrant ambiance of SPIN’s expansive 18,000-square-foot ping pong social club in River North, all while contributing to a cause that makes a significant difference for countless families.
Proceeds benefit the Jackson Chance Foundation’s NICU Transportation Program, which partners with hospitals to remove the financial burden of parking for families with critically ill babies. Each year, the Foundation helps more than 3,000 families by providing nearly 100,000 complimentary parking passes, ensuring parents can remain by their baby’s side 24/7 to provide the love, care, and advocacy every NICU child deserves.
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
