Chicago Bear to Make Lake Barrington Appearance

There are many kinds of heroes in a multitude of circumstances: from music arenas to scenes of disaster, there are heroes custom made to suit just about anyone. 

The heroes most every one can agree upon however, are those that volunteer for military service.  They are admired for their bravery and commitment.  However, those same people can feel less than remembered in their own need and that’s where Mercy Extended and Operation Support Our Troops comes in.

On Dec. 9 at Lake Barrington Field House, Mercy Extended will host Chicago Bear Devin Hester, where he will sign autographs to benefit the Mercy Extended and Operation Support Our Troops. 

“Devin Hester is a big draw. He’s very popular in Chicago. He hasn’t done an appearance in over a year and a half,” said Dominic Pantaleo, board member of Mercy Extended.

For $150 a ticket, attendees will receive an unsigned Devin Hester NFL stitched jersey and Hester’s autograph on one item. For an autograph without the jersey, the price will be  $100.

Mercy Extended is a local non-profit, which works to organize charitable events. 

“We set up events, we help fund local soup kitchens, we work with World Vision and a number of local non-profits,” Pantaleo said.  “We’re just a group of people trying to make a difference in this world.”

The Devin Hester event will make a difference to Operation Support Our Troops and in turn, our military as they serve far from home.

“They send care packages over seas as well as well as help integrate soldiers when they come home,” said Pantaleo of the charity.  “They help to take care of families of fallen soldiers as well.”

Care packages can consist of many comfort related items.  Currently, the top 10 requested items are crackers, canned pasta or soup, granola bars, foot powder, Beefy Jerky, tuna, microwavable popcorn, canned nuts, individually wrapped hot chocolate packages and one pound individual packets of coffee. 

Size and other requirements concerning the items are mandated by the military. Information and more suggestions can be found at: http://www.osotamerica.org/get-involved/itemsneeded/

A portion of the proceeds of the Hester event will go to OSOT, and Mercy Extended anticipates a large response. Yet, Pantaleo is hoping for another outcome as well. 

“Our goal here is to help raise awareness of the operation as well as raise money,” he said.

Aside from Hester’s appearance, a number of other activities will be available, including a silent auction. 

“We’re going to have other memorabilia signed by other players from the Bears as well as donations from local businesses,” Pantaleo said.  “We’ll also have toys for Tots in the field house.  Everyone who donates a toy gets in a drawing for a ticket.”

There will certainly be money made for a worthy charity, but Pantaleo hopes that the event will include multiple outcomes. 

“There will be a handful of service men and women that will be coming. The goal here is to let them know we appreciate them and that people do care still and appreciate what they do every day.”

To that end, five local service men and women will receive free tickets to the event.

“We want to raise awareness and promote Operation Support Our Troops,” Pantaleo continued.  “We are really hoping that people will take their time and look at what they’re doing because it’s an awesome organization.  We hope people and support them directly in the future...My goal is to do the most good with this event,” Pantaleo said.

In order to achieve that goal, Pantaleo needs heroes and he can count himself and his organization to begin.  Then add Devin Hester who will volunteer his time to benefit the heroic organization Operation Support Our Troops.  When you’ve written your check you can count yourself.  Finally, don’t forget to count the heroic service men and women on whom our nation counts every day.

If You Go:

What: Operation Support The Troops Fundraiser featuring Devin Hester.

When: Dec. 9 form 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.  Line starts at 6 p.m.

Where: Lake Barrington Field House, 28156 W. North Pointe Parkway, Lake Barrington

Tickets are $100 for an autograph and $150 for a jersey and an autograph.

For more information and to purchase tickets called Sideline Marketing at 815-529-3447 or visit: www.sidelinemarketingltd.com.  Sideline Marketing can also be found on Facebook.

For more information on Mercy Extended visit: http://mercyextended.org/about_us.htm

For more information about Operation Support Our Troops visit: http://www.operation-support-our-troops.org/

To sign a service member up to receive care packages, visit: http://www.osotamerica.org/comfort-packages/