Chicago 2016 hosted hundreds of volunteers Tuesday at Volunteer Appreciation Night, held to recognize and celebrate the efforts of volunteers in helping Chicago make the Candidate City phase.
Chicago 2016 now has 3,500 volunteers supporting the city’s bid and during the past year they have helped the city in its bid for the 2016 Games from riding on Chicago 2016’s float in parades to working in Chicago 2016’s offices.
Patrick Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016 said in a press release, “the contributions of our volunteers have been remarkable in helping Chicago’s bid get to the Candidature phase of the bidding process. Thousands of Chicagoans have lent their time and energy to the cause, making a significant contribution to the bid. Their willingness to help is an indication of the support for the bid throughout the city and region”.
Those interested in volunteering should visit the Chicago 2016 official website or send an e-mail to Volunteer@chicago2016.org.
Meanwhile Chicago’s bid will get a boost from the 2008 Etchells World Championship being held June 21 to June 28. Participating in the competition will be top international skippers such as defending Word Champion Andy Beadsworth and 2006 Champion Jud Smith.
Opening ceremonies for the competition takes place June 21 and the first race is schedule to begin at 11 a.m. on June 23.
Prior to the race the world’s premier skippers will be in a harbour race with students from Chicago’s Rickover Naval Academy at Belmont Harbor Station on June 20.
Commandant Michael Tooker, military director of the academy said, “we want to stretch our students’ horizons and encourage them to learn from the experiences of others”.
Chicago 2016 announced Wednesday it is hosting a celebration event July 14 at Millennium Park to honour the Beijing Games and the U.S. Olympic team, as well as it’s selection as a Candidate City for the 2016 Games.
The event, called “Chicago Believes…”, begins at 4:30 p.m. on the Great Lawn at Millennium Park and is featuring demonstrations from Olympians, Paralympians and Olympic hopefuls in a variety of events.
Dinner for those with tickets will be at 6 p.m. and, according to a press release, will feature international menu offerings from some of the world’s top chefs. Dinner tickets are available starting at $500.
A variety show at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion begins at 8 p.m. celebrating great Chicago Olympic moments and will include performances by members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Bandoleros, Hubbard Street Dance, the Anti-Gravity Boots Team, a local gospel choir and tenor Rodrick Dixon. There are limited seats available for the performance at $100.
There will also be free seating for 7,000 people on the Great Lawn.
During the event there will be opportunities to sign up as a bid volunteer, donate to the bid, and purchase Chicago 2016 merchandise, as well as food and drink concessions.
More information is available on the official Chicago 2016 website at www.chicago2016.org.
