PULL A CORK FOR CANCER

There are many motivations that contribute to our charitable instincts. A childhood obsession that develops into a lifelong passion; the death of a friend or family member and meeting the needs of their loved ones; the desire to contribute to research and other efforts to eradicate diseases that cause debilitation or death. All are reasons many people are willing to spend their time and resources to make the world a little better place.

Thirty years ago, in November 1994, Rick Heinz’s mother passed away from non-smoking lung cancer. Her experience inspired him to start Scoreboard Charities 10 years ago to raise funds for cancer research, mostly through auctioning off his significant sports memorabilia collection. Not long after, Heinz, a CPA with Heinz and Associates in Clarendon Hills, and Scoreboard Charities launched an event, Uncorked, to boost fundraising efforts.

The 8th annual edition of the Uncorked fundraiser, Pull a Cork for Cancer, will be held on November 15 at Ruth Lake Country Club. Guests will be treated to an evening of sipping, shopping, entertainment by the Keithen Banks Band, and fashion shows by Sweet William of Hinsdale.

When he was growing up, Henz’s parents instilled in him the value of helping out the less fortunate, another reason he started Scoreboard Charities. The goal for the funds raised is to support critical cancer research and opportunities for kids with cancer to participate in camp.

To date Scoreboard has raised $1.7 million for two charities, Northwestern Medicine Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Camp One Step, which is run by Children’s Oncology Services, Inc. The goal for this year is to push the total over $2 million.

“We fund cancer research and studies and also Camp One Step for kids who have cancer,” Heinz says. “It’s several weeks of camp each year near Lake Geneva and also smaller camps and virtual camps in the city.

Over the years Uncorked has grown into a community event thanks in part to a close partnership with the Clarendon Hills Fire Department.

“The Fire Department has been friends of ours and friends of the event for years, says Heinz. “It’s a very small group of our committee that has worked hard over the years to put these events on and we’re confident we’ll hit our $300,000 goal this year.”

After a decade of dedicating his time (and sports memorabilia collection) to Scoreboard Charities, Heinz says it’s still his mother and being up close watching her battle with cancer that keeps him motivated.

“I’ve worn my mom’s cross since the day she died. I was 38 when she passed and I think at this point everyone knows someone who has had or has died of cancer,” he says. “Scoreboard Charities doesn’t cure all forms of cancer, but we make people’s lives better. My guess if my mom had that same kind of cancer today, she would’ve had another 10 years, and I missed those ten years.”

In honoring his mother, Heinz is also honoring her legacy of volunteering and giving back to the community.

“My mom was involved in every possible charity, church, and women’s society and I probably took off on that,” he says.

Tickets to the Uncorked event are $200 and entries for a raffle, Key to the Closet, are $100 with the winner receiving a $10,000 wardrobe makeover by Kristi Smith of Sweet William, Hinsdale. In addition to Sweet William, other sponsors include Savway Fine Wine & Spirits. Those who can’t attend but would like to support Scoreboard Charities can make a donation or purchase items from the organization’s eBay store.

Heinz says this year’s event is adding a sophisticated touch. In addition to the traditional fare, a tasting menu with dishes created by chefs from the Ruth Lake Country Club and with special wine pairings from Savway will be featured. It’s all part of Heinz’s vision to do good by honoring his mother.

“It is a big deal for us to hit $2 million. When my family came here in 1978, I never guessed a small-town kid from Indiana would be doing this,” Heinz says. “It’s been fun and exciting at the same time.”

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit scoreboardcharities.com or call 630-986-0475.