Meet Chicago and Help Fight Hunger in America
Through WHY’s Artists Against Hunger and Poverty Auction

New York, NY (rushprnews) May 12, 2007– Fans of the legendary rock n’ roll band Chicago will have the opportunity to meet the band during its 40th anniversary tour and at the same time raise funds for WHY’s Artists Against Hunger and Poverty Program.

 WHY has partnered with CharityFolks.com, the leading online marketplace for nonprofit fundraising, to auction pairs of premium tickets to see Chicago with a pre-concert meet-and-greet during various stops on their tour with America in June and July.

The relationship between Chicago’s Robert Lamm and WHY’s co-founder Harry Chapin dates back to their early church choir days in Brooklyn. Since then, Lamm and fellow founding Chicago members Lee Loughnane, Walt Parazaider and Jimmy Pankow participated in WHY’s Hungerthons and partnered with WHY and famed radio station 95.5 WPLJ in New York to hold a benefit concert, raising more than $79,695 over the years.

“WHY thanks Chicago for their ongoing commitment to fighting hunger and poverty in the U.S. through this unique opportunity to meet the band while they are on tour with America this summer,” said Executive Director Bill Ayres.

“We also thank Chicago’s manager Peter Schivarelli for inspiring his artists to make a difference and building this benefit into the tour. With more than 35 million Americans living in poverty we are thrilled we can depend on Chicago and their management team to help us once again.”

The funds raised from artists participating in WHY’s Artists Against Hunger & Poverty program help work on grassroots solutions in the United States. WHY is helping thousands of America’s hungry connect to food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and government programs in their neighborhoods by providing immediate help via the National Hunger Hotline 1-866-3-HUNGRY.

WHY also supports the work of more than 8,750 community-based organizations working on the frontlines to help poor and hungry Americans move out of poverty, more specifically helping them tap into their own power to be self-reliant through job training, life skills, urban farming, after school programs, affordable housing, entrepreneurial businesses, and much more.

WHY is a leading advocate for innovative, community-based solutions to hunger and poverty, and challenges society to confront these problems by advancing models that create self-reliance, economic justice, and equal access to nutritious and affordable food.

February 15, 2007 marked the 40th anniversary of Chicago. With worldwide sales of more than 100 million records and an astonishing 50 hits in the U.S. alone (including 20 Top 10 smashes and 9 weeks at the Top of the charts), Chicago is one of the best-loved and most successful bands in rock history. Of their albums, 18 are gold, 13 are platinum, 12 have reached the top 10, and 5 have hit #1. Of their singles, Chicago enjoys 20 Top 10 hits, 5 #1 records and 5 gold singles.

In addition, they have also received a Grammy Award, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and continue to be a top live attraction, successfully touring throughout the U.S. and internationally every year. And on May 2 in the city of Chicago, the band will receive the Nat’l. Assoc. of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement.

Bidding for the Chicago tour dates starts today, and will continue through June, at www.charityfolks.com. Opening bids for each date start at $150.

About WHY: WHY is a leading advocate for innovative, community-based solutions to hunger and poverty. WHY challenges society to confront these problems by advancing models that create self-reliance, economic justice, and equal access to nutritious and affordable food.

About Charity Folks: Charity Folks is the leading online marketplace for nonprofit fundraising, corporate cause marketing campaigns and celebrity-driven charity initiatives; a cross-market penetration that has made them the “go-to” in the field of ePhilanthropy.
 
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RUSH PR NEWS newswire and press release services at www.rushprnews.com
Anne Howard www.annehowardpublicist.com writer and publicist