This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

The Chicago Charity Challenge's Online Auction Ends July 4: Bid Today and Boost Your Karma

The Chicago Charity Challenge, an innovative new fundraising/volunteering competition for Chicago-area businesses, proudly launches its inaugural Challenge with an enticing online auction through July 4, 2014. The Chicago Charity Challenge (affectionately called the Chicago Cha Cha), provides a platform for businesses to engage employees through fundraising and volunteering.  The teams vie for awards ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, which will be donated to their chosen non-profit.

In an effort to energize the competition, boost community involvement, and raise funds for the 20 participating charities, The Chicago Charity Challenge is hosting a weekly online auction through July 4, 2014. Each week, the auction will feature new items from participating teams, with all proceeds going to support the teams’ charity partners, including Golub & Company and Chicago Botanic Garden, Abelson Taylor and La Rabida Children’s Hospital, Kolcraft and March of Dimes, Groupon and Cure Violence, Fannie May and Park Lawn, and many more.

“The online auction is an easy way for anyone to get involved in the Chicago Cha Cha and to support the fundraising efforts of the Challengers in this inaugural year,” said Susan Hahn, Executive Director of the Chicago Charity Challenge. “Bidding is open to the masses, which means anyone can bid on these items and boost their karma at the same time, since all funds raised from the auction will support many worthy causes.”

Find out what's happening in Lincoln Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Each week the online auction will feature unique offerings and one-of-a-kind experiences.  With new items added weekly, the online auction promises something for everyone, including:

  • For the pop culture crazed: Four tickets to see Conan O’Brien LIVE in Los Angeles
  • For the design divas: A remodel of your kitchen or bath
  • For the chocoholics: A private chocolate party for eight at Fannie May
  • For the fitness fiends: Gym memberships to Chicago Athletic Club and Shred415
  • For the die-hard sports fan: Prime seats for the Cubs, Sox and Bears games
  • For the music-minded: Tickets for sold-out and highly-anticipated events, including Ravinia and Firefly Music Festival

Bidding for the week begins every Monday at 10:00 AM and closes Friday at noon until July 4th, 2014. New auction items will be added weekly, ensuring something for everyone.

Find out what's happening in Lincoln Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

To view the auction and place your bid, please visit www.chicagochacha.org/auction/. New bidders will be prompted to create a profile before placing a bid. Once registered, you can place bids online from your computer or from your mobile device or by texting your bid to the three digit item number. Auto bid is available so the system can bid on your behalf up to a designated maximum. The auction completely ends at noon on Friday, July 4th, 2014. 

Founding Sponsor Call One is providing technical and administrative support and funding start-up costs for the Chicago Charity Challenge and the online auction. Award money for the $10,000 Grand Prize Give Back Winner will be raised by Call One’s employees. Other award sponsors include MB Financial Charitable Foundation and Avaya.  Support will also be provided by the University of Chicago Booth School of Business Social Enterprise Initiative.

About Chicago Charity Challenge

Established in 2014, the Chicago Charity Challenge (affectionately called the Chicago Cha Cha), provides area businesses with a platform to support employee volunteer and fundraising efforts. Businesses partner with a favorite local charities to compete for five monetary prizes. This year, twenty teams are paired to compete in the inaugural Chicago Cha Cha. For more information call 312-506-5006 visit www.chicagochacha.org. Keep current with event announcements and more by liking our Facebook page and following us on Twitter @ChicagoChaCha.

About Call One

Established in 1992, Chicago-based Call One is dedicated to providing premium communications services at competitive rates. The company was the first telecommunications provider certified as a Competitive Local Exchange carrier by the Illinois Commerce Commission and has since grown to become one of the nation's largest providers of voice, data, and internet services and systems. Call One is proud to be endorsed as the preferred telecommunications vendor by Illinois' leading industry and government trade associations.  Call One has been named to Crain's "Fast Fifty", Inc. magazine's "500/5000", ICIC and Fortune Magazine's "Inner City 100" and is recognized as a workplace of excellence by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.  Learn more at www.callone.com, www.Facebook.com/callonechicago, or Twitter @CallOneConnect.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?