After an all-around gloomy day Aug. 15, the only thing that poured that evening was a crowd of more than 1,300 area professionals and families, into Wrigley Field as CBRE and the Chicago Cubs hosted the 9th Annual CBRE Cares Charity Bash at the friendly confines.
Originally announced in April when CBRE revealed its new partnership with the Cubs, the Charity Bash raised more than $360,000 altogether.
CBRE plans to donate 100 percent of net proceeds to local charities, including: CBRE Cares, the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, Jon Lester’s NVRQT campaign for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, Theo Epstein’s Foundation To Be Named Later and Joe Maddon’s Respect 90 Foundation and other Cubs Charities, which focus on increasing access to sports opportunities and targeting improvements in health, fitness and education for those at risk.
Following photo ops with guests, Cubs manager Joe Maddon, pitcher Jon Lester and first baseman Anthony Rizzo joined the podium alongside Theo Epstein, President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs, and CBRE CEO Bob Sulentic and CBRE President of the Midwest Division Chris Connelly, as Sulentic and Connelly presented Cubs Charities and its affiliates with a check of $200,000 in donations.
“To have this amazing event at Wrigley Field has been an incredible experience,” said Chris Connelly, president of the Midwest division for CBRE. “Thanks to our partnership with the Cubs, we have been able to elevate our charity event to a new level and provide more donations to these worthy local charities than we ever have before.”
Guests and families that attended this first-of-its-kind event at Wrigley Field were able to walk around, explore the field and play catch while enjoying ballpark fare, open bar and other treats.
Since announcing its partnership with the team earlier this year, CBRE digital signage has been displayed throughout the ballpark at all regular 2016 season games, and will continue through the postseason. The Cubs will also host a number of additional unique VIP, behind-the-scenes events for CBRE employees, clients and partners.
“We are excited to partner with a world-class, Fortune 500 firm like CBRE and hope to continue this relationship for years to come,” Cubs President of Business Operations, Crane Kenney, said.