On Friday, October 21, the Chicago Bulls hosted the team’s 28th annual charity gala, An Evening with the Chicago Bulls, presented by BMO Harris Bank. This year’s event honored the great work of Chicago Bulls Charities and celebrated Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf’s enshrinement into the 2016 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The team also honored After School Matters, a Chicago Bulls community partner that offers Chicago high school teens high quality, out-of-school time opportunities to explore and develop their talents, while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond. The Chicago Bulls have partnered with After School Matters since 2005 to support the organization’s after-school and summer programming for teens at sites throughout the city.
The gala was held at the Advocate Center and included a cocktail reception followed by dinner, a silent auction, and entertainment. The 2016-17 Bulls team attended along with Bulls coaches, ambassadors and broadcasters.
All proceeds from An Evening with the Chicago Bulls support Chicago Bulls Charities. Under the leadership of Nancy Reinsdorf, the charity’s president, and Leslie Forman, its vice president, Chicago Bulls Charities provides annual financial support to Chicagoland nonprofit organizations that share the Bulls’ commitment to youth education, youth health and wellness, violence prevention, and military support. Chicago Bulls Charities and the entire Bulls basketball family work to address community concerns and find ways for the organization to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need.