UNIVERSITY VILLAGE — Tickets went on sale this week for the Taste of Taylor Street, a fundraiser to benefit SOS Children's Villages, a foster care program coming to University Village this summer.
The event will be held on March 6 from 6-9 p.m. at Vintage Lounge, 1449 W. Taylor St. It will feature appetizers served in a buffet style from restaurants on Taylor Street, including: spaghetti from Rosebud; sub sandwiches from Conte de Savio; drinks from The Coffee Alley; pizza from Pompei; sausage and peppers from The Patio; and a yet-to-be-determined dish from Francesca's.
Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com. The event will also feature a live performance from Packy Angelo, which includes a tribute to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
The Taste of Taylor Street is organized by the University Village Association, which will split the proceeds of the event with SOS Children's Villages, a not-for-profit child welfare agency. The association hopes the event in its first year will not only raise thousands in funds but also spread the word about the organization.
"This is our way of welcoming them to the neighborhood," said Kathy Catrambone, Executive Director of University Village Association. "It's our gift to them."
The SOS village coming to Roosevelt Square will be its fourth in Illinois, and it plans to build 14 new homes along the 1300 block of Washburne Avenue. The program provides an opportunity for children in foster care to remain with their siblings in a safe environment.
"This will make people aware we're coming to the neighborhood and will cover general operating cost of the new village," said Tim McCormick, CEO of SOS Children's Villages.
The agency already has approval for the homes and had hoped to start construction earlier, but was delayed because of the weather and now plans to begin building as soon as the "ground thaws out," McCormick said. The group plans to break ground by the end of March and have three to four homes built by July. They hope to have all 14 homes completed by the fall, McCormick said.
While SOS already has "a solid base of support," Catrambone hopes to draw up even more for the program by selling sponsorships. Sponsorship levels range from the $2,500 platinum to the $300 bronze.
"It's really for someone who wants to help the cause," Catrambone said, adding sponsors will be publicized in all advertisements for the event and will be added to a video that will be displayed at the event.
For sponsorship inquiries, call 312-243-3773.
