WEST RIDGE — Parents at Jamieson Elementary School in West Ridge said the next round of school budget slashes, a potential 20-30 percent, are no laughing matter — but they're going to try and laugh through the pain anyway.
The Jamieson Education Family and Friends group is trying out its first fundraiser geared toward adults-only: a comedy showcase at Borelli's Pizza featuring some of the area's funniest acts, with beer provided by Half Acre.
"In these crazy times at CPS and Illinois in general, we need all the fundraising help we can get, plus we can laugh while doing it," said Allison Garwood Freedland, the group's past president and a current member.
The event is from 5-8 p.m. June 5 at Borelli's, 2124 W. Lawrence Ave., and the $40 ticket price includes all-you-can-eat salad, pizza, pop, beer and wine.
The lineup includes Sean Blair Flannery (Comedy Central), Kristen Toomey (Chicago Comedy Expo) and Adam Burke (NPR’s "Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me"), and hopefully will earn about $7,000-8,000 for the school, Garwood Freedland said.
The fundraiser will complement the group's big annual event, a walk-a-thon on June 3. Garwood Freedland said between the two events she's hoping the group can raise about $30,000.
Earlier this month, more than $30,000 (of a $20,000) goal was raised through a benefit for Peirce Elementary School, held at Hopleaf Bar in Andersonville.
Without the money, Garwood Freedland said Jamieson faces major cuts, if not elimination, of after-school enrichment programs, sports and teaching positions.
It would also make it difficult for the school to continue to provide teachers with a $300-$1,000 stipend to use on resources throughout the year.
"All of our fundraising efforts are now targeted to fill the gaps as best we can," Garwood Freedland said.
A new $13 million, three-story annex is being built at Jamieson, which Chicago Public Schools categorized as "overcrowded" in January.
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