WEST BEVERLY — Brian Volkman made his closest friends promise they'd continue to get together with his wife, Liz, and their two daughters even after he died.
Volkman, 40, lost a six-month battle with lung cancer in September 2014. And his buddies from Beverly continue to make good on their pledge.
Volkman Days is the latest such effort. The family festival will be held from 1-6 p.m. Aug. 6 at Munroe Park at 2617 W. 105th St. in West Beverly. It costs $40 per family or $20 per individual to attend.
Volkman Days will be set up much like a family picnic, but will also have a DJ, face painter and balloon artist all on hand. Volunteers will grill hot dogs and hamburgers and have soda pop, chips and water available.
Organizers said the event is starting out small, but the group hopes to someday mirror the success of Play for Maeve, a fundraiser set up similarly at nearby Beverly Park.
Play for Maeve was held annually in early August before concluding its 10-year run in 2014. The sprawling event was organized by the Maeve McNicholas Memorial Foundation, which was named for Denise and Matt McNicholas's 2-year-old daughter.
Maeve McNicholas died on July 29, 2004 — just 36 hours after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. The foundation directed all proceeds from the event to pediatric brain tumor research at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Streeterville.
Similarly, the Volkman Foundation will coordinate this latest outdoor family fun festival. The group first gathered with the goal of raising $200,000 to pay Volkman's outstanding medical bills and for the future educational expenses of his daughters, Maggie, 4, and CeCe, 2.
The foundation exceeded its goal at a benefit held May 30, 2105 at 115 Bourbon Street in suburban Merrionette Park. The additional proceeds were then distributed to four families on the Far Southwest Side who were also struggling as a result of cancer, said Steve Urbon of Morgan Park.
Urbon was Volkman's friend since the pair played tee ball together at age 5. He is also on the board of the foundation and said the group aims to keep his friend's spirit alive while also raising money for others.
"This is more of a[n event to] get everyone together to celebrate Volkman. Things like this he loved," Urbon said.
In planning the event, the foundation reached out to the organizers of Play for Maeve. The group was happy to hear about Volkman Days and eager to pass the torch to a like-minded foundation from the neighborhood, Urbon said.
"The McNicholas family has been a huge help to us," he said.
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