BEVERLY — Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) will again run the Chicago Marathon to benefit Special Olympics Chicago.
This will be O'Shea's fourth marathon and the second which he has run to benefit the charity that serves some 7,000 athletes by offering year-round training and competition in 22 different sports.
The Far Southwest Side alderman runs a roughly four-hour marathon and was set to run last year as well. However, he was sidelined with shin splints leading up to the race. In 2015, O'Shea raised $6,441 for Special Olympics via the marathon.
O'Shea will host a happy hour fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics Chicago ahead of the Oct. 8 race. The fundraiser will be held from 5-8 p.m. Sept. 27 at Franconello Italian Restaurant in Beverly.
All tips and donations from the fundraiser at 10222 S. Western Ave. will go toward Special Olympics. The evening will include free appetizers, raffle prizes, drink specials and feature O'Shea as a guest bartender.
Other guest bartenders will include state Rep. Fran Hurley (D-Chicago), former Cook County Sheriff Michael F. Sheahan and James "Skinny" Sheahan, who sits on the board of directors for Special Olympics Chicago.
"It will be a great night on our rooftop, and we invite the community out to support their mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities," said Frank Ruffolo Sr., owner of the restaurant.
This fundraiser is co-sponsored by Morgan Park Beverly Hills Business Association. For more information, visit the event's Facebook page or call 773-881-4100.
