White Sox Celebrate 11th Annual ‘Sox Serve Week’
CHICAGO – The Chicago White Sox will celebrate Sox Serve Week – its 11th annual community outreach and fundraising campaign benefiting Chicago White Sox Charities (CWSC) – beginning today through Sunday, July 28. Sox Serve Week engages Sox fans and the Chicagoland community through outreach events that feature current players and special fundraising opportunities. Sox Serve Week is presented in partnership with Beggars Pizza, Goose Island Beer Co., Guaranteed Rate, Magellan Corporation, Proven IT, United Airlines and Wintrust Community Banks.
“Sox Serve Week is the best way to bring our entire organization and fan base together to give back to the community,” said Christine O’Reilly, White Sox vice president of community relations. “The week-long campaign takes a moment during the busy season to highlight the important work that is done all year round. It’s an incredible statement to see everyone from the organization participate – including coaches, players and their wives, front office staff and Volunteer Corps members.”
Sox Serve Week includes a series of outreach events that involve White Sox players and team personnel giving back to the community. In addition, fans viewing and attending games during the week can participate in a number of unique fundraising activities. The campaign has raised more than $1.8 million for CWSC over the last ten years.
The schedule for Sox Serve Week is as follows:
Monday, July 22 – White Sox vs. Miami at 7:10 p.m.
Random Acts of Kindness – Members of the Chicago White Sox front office will be visiting various locations throughout Chicago spreading Sox joy in surprising ways. Former White Sox players, Southpaw and the Mazda of Orland Park Pride Crew also will make appearances at some of the locations. This year, the day will feature more than 20 Random Acts of Kindness, including picking up the tab for rides on the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier, delivering lunches to first responders, and visiting a women and children’s shelter with Sox swag and flowers.
Mystery Backpacks, presented by NBC Sports Chicago – White Sox wives will be selling mystery backpacks in a telethon-style setup. Backpacks will include autographed items, game tickets and promotional items.
Tuesday, July 23 – White Sox vs. Miami at 7:10 p.m.
Ultimate Wish – The White Sox will fulfill one lucky fan’s “ultimate wish” by providing him with an extraordinary experience at the ballpark. Lifelong White Sox fan Mike Andel is battling stage four brain cancer. The White Sox will welcome Andel and his family, including his wife along with daughter and son who is living with cerebral palsy. His day at the ballpark will include a limo ride to the ballpark, a tour of the clubhouse, a batting practice experience and more surprises throughout the day.
Pop-Up Garage Sale – Fans have the opportunity to purchase memorabilia and collectible items during a pop-up Garage Sale in the food court located near
Section 121.
Wednesday, July 24 – White Sox vs. Miami at 7:10 p.m.
Rebuilding Together Chicago – Volunteer Corps members will work together with White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson and his wife Bria to renovate the house of a 90-year old war veteran and grandfather in the Englewood neighborhood. The project includes house repairs, removal and installation of appliances, cabinets, sinks, countertops, and floors, landscaping and painting.
Ultimate Experience Broadcast Auction, presented by WGN-TV – During the game, fans will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of unique experiences, including a dinner with White Sox Senior Vice President and General Manager Rick Hahn, the opportunity to golf with White Sox legends Ken “Hawk” Harrelson and Tom “Wimpy” Paciorek and more. The bidding is open now at whitesox.com/ultimateauction and will go through 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday, July 24.
Thursday, July 25 - White Sox vs. Minnesota at 7:10 p.m.
Ronald McDonald House Takeover – White Sox players, staff, Volunteer Corps members and ACE players will prepare lunch or dinner at all five Ronald McDonald Houses throughout Chicagoland for patients and their families. White Sox players will serve lunch to families at the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s on Thursday.
Mystery Baseballs – Fans will be able to purchase “mystery baseballs” for $40 from White Sox wives in the Charities Corner near Section 154 or online at whitesox.com/soxserve. Each baseball will be autographed, although fans will not know who signed the ball until they purchase it. Autographed baseballs in the sale include White Sox current team members, alumni and prospects.
Friday, July 26 – White Sox vs. Minnesota at 7:10 p.m.
Miracle League Exhibition Game – Thirty athletes from the Miracle League of Joliet will play in an exhibition game at Guaranteed Rate Field. White Sox coaches, players and staff will serve as “buddies” for the kids. The game will include full uniforms, starting lineups, national anthem, walk-up music and more.
Jersey Off-Their-Backs Raffle – Fans will have the opportunity to win a game-worn jersey straight from White Sox players. Scratch-off tickets will be available for purchase throughout the ballpark and in the Charities Corner near Section 154 on Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27. Twenty-five lucky winners will take home a jersey right off the player’s back following the game on Saturday, July 27. In addition to game-worn jerseys, fans can also win various prizes, including autographed items, White Sox game tickets and discounts for the Chicago Sports Depot.
Saturday, July 27 – White Sox vs. Minnesota at 6:10 p.m.
Grant Day – The White Sox will honor the 2019 CWSC grant recipients during a special pregame ceremony. The White Sox cumulative charitable donations are in excess of $2 million over the past year, including $826,500 in grants to 38 Chicagoland non-profit organizations. Groups will be hosted in the Upper Terrace during the game.
Jersey Off-Their-Backs Raffle – Sales continue for the opportunity to win a game-worn jersey straight from White Sox players. Scratch-off tickets will be available for purchase throughout the ballpark and in the Charities Corner near Section 154. Twenty-five lucky winners will take home a jersey right off the player’s back following the game on Saturday.
Sunday, July 28 – White Sox vs. Minnesota at 1:10 p.m.
Illinois Fire Safety Alliance and Chicago Fire Department – The White Sox will welcome 100 young burn survivors (ages 8-16 years old) and their families to enjoy a special day at the ballpark. There will be a pregame tailgate in Lot A with special appearances by Ron Kittle, Hall-of-Famer Harold Baines, and Southpaw. Burn survivors will participate in the “Kids Take the Field” experience prior to the start of the game.
Harold Baines Bobblehead Pre-Sale – Fans will have the opportunity to purchase a limited-edition talking Harold Baines bobblehead, celebrating his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The bobblehead features Baines’ iconic batting stance in the 1983 White Sox uniform and includes a recording of Baines’ one-word quote, “evidently.” A special pre-sale of VIP bobblehead packages is on sale now at whitesox.com/haroldbobble with a $100 donation. The limited amount of VIP packages includes an opportunity to meet Baines on Sunday, July 28 and an autographed bobblehead with a Hall of Fame inscription. VIP package purchasers must have a ticket to the game on Sunday, July 28 vs. Minnesota.
Fans are encouraged to share their Sox Serve Week experience on social media by tagging the White Sox and Chicago White Sox Charities as well as by using the hashtag #SoxServe. A complete overview of activities is available at whitesox.com/soxserve.
Tickets for all games are available at whitesox.com, the Guaranteed Rate Field ticket office (Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) or by calling 866-SOX-GAME.