Helping out in Wrigleyville

06/24/2009 10:00 PM

By FELICIA DECHTER

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Courtesy John “Nunu” Zamot
Loop Rock Girl Leah Berman and Chicago Bull Linton Johnson hit the VOA benefit at Wrigley Done Right last week

Heart of the ‘hood
Gold Coaster Lee Gramatis is definitely doing things right at Wrigley Done Right, his rooftop baseball club at 3621-25 N. Sheffield.

Gramatis has stepped up to bat for good causes, and once per season, he donates his club to charity in addition to giving away 150 tickets to charities each year. I was lucky enough to be invited to a crosstown game last week up on the roof, when Gramatis teamed with The Loop radio station and a new Web site, MyWrigleyville.com, to host a benefit for the Volunteers of America.

“It’s helping someone in need,” Gramatis said. “We’re happy to do it.”

The South Loop-based Volunteers of America (VOA) is a national, non-profit organization helping people rebuild their lives (And no, they weren’t named after the song, they’ve been around since 1896). Its most recent program helps veterans: VOA of Illinois is developing a supportive housing project for homeless vets in East Garfield Park.

The finished project will be a 53,000-square foot, four-story building with 30 studio/SRO units and 10 two- and three-bedrooms suites each. That’s in addition to first floor commercial space for employment opportunities, support services, a business/training center and more.

The stats for vets are pretty depressing. According to information provided by VOA, in Chicago, approximately 1,200 vets are homeless each night with more than 18,000 experiencing homelessness annually. Additionally, veterans account for more than 50 percent of those considered chronically homeless in Chicago, and one out of every three homeless men in America is a veteran.

Nancy Hughesmoyer, Chicago’s VOA president, said the number of homeless vets is “exploding.” Soldiers are returning in high numbers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, (PTSD), a debilitating emotional illness caused by exposure to a terrifying ordeal that “triggers a downward cycle.”

“Services are needed now more than ever,” said Hughesmoyer. “They’re really hit hard by the economy and lack of affordable housing.”

Scoring big for their help also is MyWrigleyville.com, a new social networking Web site created for Cubs fans by Cubs fans. What VOA is doing touches everybody said Ashlee Gonigam, community manager for the site.

“What better cause than to help people get on the right track?” Gonigam asked.

Launched June 12, MyWrigleyville.com encompasses all things Wrigleyville, and allows Cubs fans, residents, biz owners and out-of-towners to interact in a fun, social forum. It’s a place where people can find events, share photos and experiences and learn what’s happening in the ’hood.

The site has partnered with local businesses for Split the Bill, a program where you can buy gift certificates from certain partners at half-price.

“We want to create an off season for businesses,” said Gonigam. “When the Cubs season is over, the bars and restaurants are still here.

“This is just about having a good time, and enjoying the community and all the great services offered. The young, happy lifestyle doesn’t just have to be during Cubs season.”

Gene Fisher does it again! The savvy Lincoln Parker was recently elected to his 10th consecutive year as executive director of the Diversey Harbor Lakeview Association. Fisher, the retired corporate marketing director of a Fortune 500 company, was unanimously re-elected to the post.

Raizin art Catch Broadway in Chicago prez Lou Raizin’s work in A Glance at Photography, a group show (with Helmut Horn, John Metoyer — dean of instruction at Harold Washington College — and Ian van Coller) opening with a reception from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. June 26 at Schneider Gallery, 230 W. Superior.


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