Around 500 party-goers crowded Morgan Manufacturing in Chicago on Thursday, June 20 for an industrial-chic WHITE PARTY supporting the Chicago Fire Foundation, presented by Magellan.

The event, replete with music, caviar, spectacle and dancing, raised $50,000 in support of Chicago Fire Foundation P.L.A.Y.S. (Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth, Soccer), a program committed to enhancing the academic performance and development of key social and emotional skills of elementary school students through a sports-based curriculum. In 2024, P.L.A.Y.S. was implemented in 60 Chicago Public Schools and served nearly 1,440 youth.

This year's shindig was the seventh edition of the White Party, "one of the hottest parties of the year," according to the Chicago Tribune. Fire alumni and current First team members were in attendance, mingling with other guests while enjoying food from some of Chicago's hottest restaurants, including Stefani Prime, Boka, Eataly, Avec, Il Porcellino, Tall Boy Taco, and more.

Attendees left with a Magellan branded gift bag to top off the night.

Magellan was announced as Official Jersey Sleeve Sponsor of the men's pro soccer team this year, and is proud of the alliance and dimension of the sponsorship.

The Sky that lit up the smiles. On Tuesday, June 18, Magellan was ecstatic to host the entire Chicago Sky WNBA team, their coaches and front office staff for a spectacular Lunch & Learn enjoyed by 180 of our closest clients, colleagues, friends, and staff, as well as Deerfield Mayor Dan Shapiro, IL State Representative Bob Morgan, and representatives from offices of IL State Senator Julie Morrison and US Congressman Brad Schneider.  We also hosted some VERY special guests -- kids from our Chicago Sky / Magellan designated nonprofit partner, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago.  

While these athletes are finally capturing the attention they deserve, Magellan is certainly no newcomer to the WNBA -- we're celebrating a DECADE of sponsoring the Sky! Angel Reese? Kamilla Cardosa? Chennedy Carter? Diamond DeShields? Dana Evans? Elizabeth Williams? All there, along with the rest of this powerhouse team.

Beginning with autographs, pics, and meet-and-greets, the day commenced with an impassioned chalk talk with team GM Jeff Pagliocca and the electric Coach T, Teresa Weatherspoon (emceed by our own Adam Shaw). Lunch and more meeting-and-greeting followed. But the pictures --the pictures really say it all!

Thanks, Sky, for a day that will be remembered by every attendee.

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A full house gathered at Magellan to hear the incomparable Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Gretchen Evans recount some of the more profound moments of her 27 years serving our country in the US Army, including overseeing more than 30,000 ground troops in Afghanistan. Her heroism earned Gretchen the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPYS, along with the admiration and gratitude of thousands-- including every person gathered in our Board Room for a Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, June 4.

Her sacrifices led to a traumatic brain injury that forced Gretchen's retirement -- from the military, but certainly not from service. In 2019, she founded TeamUNBROKEN, a mixed-ability athletic team, and her astounding accomplishments continue to stack up.

Magellan's own David Twiford, Force Master Chief (Ret.) USN, emceed the event, welcoming our clients, community partners, friends and staff. Magellan is proud to call Gretchen, her husband Captain Robert Evans, CHC, US Navy (Ret.), and guide pooch Rusty, friends.

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On May 3, 2024, the Chicago Fire FC and Magellan announced an expanded multiyear agreement that unveiled Magellan as the Club's Official Jersey Sleeve Sponsor. As part of the expanded agreement, Magellan branding is now featured on the sleeve of the First Team home and away jerseys, and appears across the back of player training tops. Additionally, Magellan has been named the presenting partner of the Club's major fundraising initiatives of the Chicago Fire Foundation.

To celebrate, Magellan and the Chicago Fire gave away four field side seats to the May 4th, 2024 match against the New England Revolution.

As part of the expanded multiyear agreement, Magellan has also been named as presenting partner of the Club’s annual White Party – a stylish event with all proceeds benefitting the Chicago Fire Foundation – along with presenting sponsor of the Foundation’s 50/50 Raffle, held online and in-stadium as part of every Chicago Fire home match. Magellan was previously announced as an Official Partner of Chicago Fire FC, including being named as the presenting sponsor of the Chicago Fire Foundation’s Annual Season Kick-Off Luncheon, and supporting partner of Foundation’s P.L.A.Y.S.(Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth, Soccer) Program.

The Chicago Fire has stood out as exceptional partners, and Magellan is proud of the alliance.

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You might recognize them better with red or green fur .... but on Thursday, May 2, 2024, Magellan employees were able to take a peek beyond the costumes to meet a couple of giants in the professional mascot world -- Barry Anderson (Benny the Bull and Strawberry Pop Tart) and Carrie Norwood (Herky the Hawk of University of Iowa and the White Sox own Southpaw).

Carrie was one of very few women playing a professional mascot and, like Barry, had some tales to tell! From surprising a young fan with autism just before his high school graduation ("Southpaw is my BEST friend!") to walking more than one bride down the aisle, Carrie / Southpaw has played important roles in the lives of diehard sports fans.

Barry Anderson brought his singular, leave-it-all-on-and-OFF-the-court style to Benny, with a propensity toward the outrageous, incredible feats of athleticism (dunking the ball after flipping from a trampoline, for instance), and enviable dance moves. Barry emerged from retirement to play the instant sensation Pop Tart mascot at the Pop Tart Bowl -- garnering $12M in earned media.

The Lunch & Learn was moderated by our good friend Bill Wennington of the Chicago Bulls. The event was capped off with some stadium grub by Portillo's. While it certainly was no ordinary day in the office, every minute was enjoyed by our crew.

Cicadas: They're edible.

Just one of the take-aways from our April 23 Lunch & Learn with insect taxonomist & systematist Maureen Turcatel from Chicago's Field Museum. Spring of 2024 will see an historic, loud and -- let's be honest -- kind of gross super emergence of the 13-year and 17-year periodical cicadas in Illinois. Billions of them -- actual billions. It is the first time the two broods emerged together in 221 years (or, if you're wondering, during Thomas Jefferson's presidency).

After the learning was the lunching ... and we're happy to report that cicadas were NOT on the menu (maybe next time, Maureen).

Magellan has supported dozens of nonprofits in Chicagoland over the years, is proud to contribute to the pressing needs of our community and contribute to our rich cultural landscape. We greatly value our partnership with The Field Museum.

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