Celebs pack Auburn sickle cell benefit
Robert Wheatly
Published: October 13, 2005
More than 600 people including several actors and actresses attended the 4th Annual Celebrity Skate Jam and Bowl-a-Thon in Auburn Gresham, which raised money to combat sickle cell anemia and sickle cell disease.
Celebrities and non-famous Greater Auburn Gresham residents packed the September "skate jam."
Photo: Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corp.
Held Sept. 3 at the Dr. Martin Luther King Park and Entertainment Center on 76th Street, the event was co-sponsored by the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) and the Tate Bros Foundation, NFP.
The Skate Jam attracted such celebrities as: Lahmard and Larron Tate, Allen Payne (G-Money in "New Jack City"), Tatyana Ali (Ashley on "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"), Jill Marie Jones (Toni Childs on "Girlfriends"), Toccara Jones ("America's Next Top Model"), Wesley Jonathan ("Roll Bounce"), Ken Lawson ("T" on "The Parkers"), Antwon Tanner (Worm on "Coach Carter"), Adam Rodriguez ("CSI Miami"),and many others.
Skaters took to the floor and showed what they could do.
Photo: Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corp.
They dedicated their time to come out and bowl with children affected with the deadly disease of sickle cell, who were joyful, excited and overwhelmed to be in the presence of so many well-known personalities.
GADC bought tickets for 20 children from the Auburn Gresham community to attend this event, some proceeds from which were donated to Larabida's Children Hospital on the southeast side of Chicago, to assist in research toward a cure for sickle cell.
The event benefited children suffering from sickle cell anemia.
Photo: Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corp.
"This event was truly phenomenal," said Carlos Nelson, executive director of GADC. "To see the smiles upon the children's faces as they were greeted by celebrities was priceless."
GADC looks forward to playing a role in the 2006 Celebrity Skate Jam.