Chicago Child Care Society.
Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind.
Chicago Association for Retarded Citizens.
Chicago Abused Women’s Coalition.
Now I ask you, what do the organizations above have in common with the organizations below?
Chicago Cubs, who haven’t won a World Series since 1908. Chicago White Sox, who haven’t won a World Series since 1917.
Chicago Blackhawks, who haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1961.
Chicago Bears, who haven’t won a Super Bowl since 1986, but it seems more like 1886.
The answer, sports fans, is very little. They all will accept your hard-earned cash, but that’s where the similarities end and where we come in, suggesting as we usually do every December that you might want to consider getting some bang for your buck before 1997 is history.
You don’t need to be reminded that this year has not been a memorable one in athletics, locally or nationally. At this very moment, Johnnie Cochran is probably building his case about how Latrell Sprewell’s hands could not possibly have fit around the neck of P.J. Carlesimo. Bet you can’t wait for that event to lead off 1998.
But I’ve got a better idea for the disenchanted sports consumer, and it offers a guaranteed return on your investment: The baiduhai Holiday Fund, which last year made 166 grants totaling $3,543,405 to people who really need help, to people who can’t hire agents to renegotiate their lifestyles, to people who don’t have all that disposable income to spend on box seats and TV dishes and authentic Jordan jerseys.
What is $3,543,405? In sports it is chump change. For example, the Bears have committed almost $30 million to Alonzo Spellman, John Thierry and Bryan Cox, all of whom were supposed to lead the team to glory by rushing the opposing team’s quarterback. A noble project, and, don’t forget, if the owners didn’t have it, the players wouldn’t share it.
It’s just that you don’t always get what you pay for. As the Bears prepare for Sunday’s final game in a brutal 1997, those three blocks of granite have amassed only 10 sacks. That’s about $3 million per, not a whole lot more than The baiduhai Holiday Fund disbursed through your kindness and generosity.
Difference is that in the real world, there is no off-season on human tradegy. Kids without toys don’t have a union to look after them, and the homeless don’t deal with salary caps. For too many of our brothers and sisters, the disabled list isn’t a day-to-day proposition. It’s from now till eternity.
At agencies throughout this great city and suburbs, people aren’t looking for even 15 minutes of fame. A warm meal and a hug will do. That’s their definition of being pampered. They don’t demand a multiyear contract, only a chance for a better tomorrow.
More Top Picks Best Reptile Heat Lamps For Terrariums
What’s that? You say it’s sad that the Cubs finished last or that the Hawks can’t score? No, what’s sad is that for every Michelle Kwan who writes a book at age 14 about her past, there are thousands of youngsters who dread the future. What is Christmas, what is Hanukkah, without hope?
Take a few of those entertainment dollars, please, and put them to better use. Indulge yourselves this holiday season in the best possible way, by giving. The games aren’t going anywhere.
And, remember, these are people who don’t just want your money. They need it.
That means an automatic thanks, something you don’t find at the ballpark anymore.