Winter Banquet Raises $21,000
Published on February 7, 2004 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, IL â Famed Chicago Cubs broadcaster Ron Santo took the floor Friday evening in front of a room of more than 600 guests for the Kane County Cougars 2004 Annual Winter Baseball Banquet and Silent Auction. Bringing in guests from all over Chicagoland, the charity silent auction and raffle raised $21,000 for Ozzie's Outreach.
Following a meet and greet, in which the Cubs legend signed autographs and posed for pictures with hundreds of fans, Santo received a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd before sharing stories that reflected on the past as a player with teams such as the 1969 Cubs as well as his impressions of the current squad. Guests had the unique opportunity to engage Santo one-on-one through a question and answer session, inquiring about his insight regarding the north-siders' future. Stopping short of guaranteeing victory, Santo held high praise for the Cubs organization and suggested that with the current staff, the Cubs will be a team to watch for years to come.
On the American League side of business, Director of Player Development Keith Leippman addressed guests on behalf of the Oakland Athletics, speaking of expectations of the upcoming season. Following the lead of a great first season in Kane County, Leippman promised a strong squad come April.
A major portion of the evening, fans were generous with their wallets for the thirteenth annual silent auction. Supplemented with a raffle, the event raised $21,000, marking the fourth consecutive year that the Cougars generated more than $20,000. A sampling of the winning bids include:
- Brett Favre Autographed Green Bay Packers Helmet ($820)
- 1969 Chicago Cubs Team Autographed Baseball Bat ($740)
- Ted Williams Autographed Framed Photograph ($720)
- Mark Prior & Kerry Wood Signed Pitching Rubber ($600)
- Mark Prior Autographed Chicago Cubs Jersey ($555)
Monies raised for Ozzie's Outreach will go to further Kane County's current programs, Ozzie's Reading Club, the Roundtrippers Summer reading program and Holiday Hoorah, along with benefiting various local charities.
Midwest League Stories from February 7, 2004
- Winter Banquet Raises $21,000 - Kane County Cougars
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