RAVENSWOOD — The Cubs World Series victory also proved to be a big win for some Chicago schools.
The owners of the iconic Wrigleyville bar Murphy's Bleachers, at 3655 N. Sheffield Ave., celebrated the championship last week by funding every open DonorsChoose project listed by schools in the 60613 ZIP code.
The bar's message to recipients reads:
"In memory of Jim Murphy, who loved this neighborhood, Murphy's Bleachers is funding all of the DonorsChoose in the 60613 zip code on the occasion of the Cubs World Series victory."
"We wish he would have been here to see the Cubs win it all with us," James Murphy said of his father Jim, who founded Murphy's Bleachers and died in 2003.
"He loved this neighborhood and spent his life investing in it and working to better it," the younger Murphy told DNAinfo via email.
"We wanted to come up with something that would have an impact immediately in our neighborhood, and this felt right," said Murphy, who credited his stepmother Beth, Jim's widow, with the idea.
Lake View High School and elementary schools including Ravenswood, Disney Magnet, Brennemann, Greeley and Inter-American all received donations from Murphy's. The funds supported everything from band instruments to washable markers.
Ravenswood Elementary, 4332 N. Paulina St., a fine and performing arts magnet school, had sought money for hip-hop dance instruction. The project is now a go, thanks to Murphy's.
"Spectacular! We'd like to offer a special thank you to Murphy's Bleacher's for their support," principal Nate Manaen, wrote in his weekly email to the Ravenswood community.
"What a generous way to celebrate this historic win!" Manaen added.
At Inter-American, Spanish students will now have the equipment they need to produce authentic Latin music.
"By the way you dedicate this donation in memory of Jim Murphy, I have the feeling that he was a great human being," teacher Gabriel Angomas wrote in response. "THANK YOU from me and the 140 students I teach."
James Murphy estimated the total contribution at more than $17,000, with Beth Murphy having donated even more individually before Murphy's organized the corporate giving.
The Murphy family also owns Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro in North Center.
RELATED STORIES:
Watch Cubs Fans Go Crazy After The Final Out of The World Series (Videos)
Cubs Players Bask In The Glory At Grant Park Rally (Photos)
Here's David Ross' Epic Victory Rally Selfie
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here.
