Of course you know that our Chicago chapter is having a comedy night on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010 at The House of Blues® Chicago for Care. Cure. Comedy. Chicago.

It stars Susie Essman of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm. The event will feature a live comedy performance, open bar and food, silent auction, and more!

Get your individual tickets here. Tell your friends! Watch a video of Susie.

But, did you know we will be honor some very special people that night? Behind all the fun that is Susie Essman, the money we raise is all about people. Here is a little about three people who are very special to us.

Debbie & John Ziegelman
2010 Reeve Chicago Friendship Award Honorees
Selflessly, the Ziegelmans have championed the Reeve Foundation’s mission for many years. Their devotion stems from their close personal connection to Reeve Board member Danny Heumann, whose volunteer leadership they have supported through tireless efforts to raise awareness and funds for research programs to develop cures for spinal cord injury and quality of life programs to care for people living with paralysis.

As founding members of the Reeve Foundation’s Chicago chapter, Debbie and John have helped motivate others to join our collective cause. Debbie is a graduate of the University of Chicago’s clinical social work graduate program and has shared her many talents as a founding partner of an auction sealed bid firm, a Board member for the Medical Research Institute Council of Children’s Memorial Hospital, and an active volunteer for her children’s schools and a number of community organizations.

John is the Founder, President and CEO of Carpe Diem Capital Management LLC, an investment management company formed in 2001, and has over 23 years experience in the investment and finance sectors. Debbie and John are the proud parents of three wonderful sons: Joey, Danny, and Sammy.

J.J. O’Connor
2010 Reeve Chicago Inspiration Award Honoree
As General Manager of the Paralympics 2010 USA National Sled Hockey Team, J.J. O’Connor helped to guide his team toward a gold medal. And his ability to inspire others didn’t just start there. After sustaining a spinal cord injury during a high school hockey match that left him paralyzed from the neck down, J.J. went on to show that nothing could stop him from pursuing his goals and dreams.

He graduated Cum Laude with a major in business and a minor in communications from Lake Forest College, delivering the commencement address that was aired on Good Morning America. A career in public speaking has taken J.J. all around the world to spread his message about overcoming obstacles, and his entrepreneurial spirit has led him to own several SportClips hair cutting salons.

J.J’s leadership knows no bounds – he has started a youth sled hockey team, the Hornets, has chaired the Disabled Sports Section for USA Hockey nationwide, has played on the Chicago Fire Power soccer team and has volunteered his time visiting young people with spinal cord injuries.

Join us that night!

Rob

PS: Don't forget to watch the little video invite, direct from Susie Essman herself!

  Like us.     Follow us.

Subscribe to us.  Join us.