Staff and students from Major Adams Community Committee and Youth Guidance’s B.A.M. (Becoming a Man) program were treated to a VIP kind of evening as the Bulls and Magellan Corporation teamed up to host Violence Prevention Night at the United Center on Tuesday.

A group of more than 25 students watched as Joakim Noah and his teammates turned in a gutsy performance for a win against the visiting Washington Wizards. Then, those on hand for the third in a series of three signature nights held during the 2014-15 season to highlight the Bulls’ areas of charitable focus got to meet their hero.

Noah did it all against the Wizards, finishing with 14 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. But his work wasn’t done at the final buzzer as he met with the groups, took photos and signed autographs after the game.

The group also watched the team’s pregame warm ups and took a center court photo in addition to receiving a Bulls drawstring bag, t-shirt and notebook. To continue reading, click here.

The Chicago Fire Soccer Club and nearly 800 supporters joined together to kick off the 2015 season at the 17th Annual Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon, presented by Magellan Corporation. At the event, emceed by Comcast SportsNet Chicago anchor and reporter Jen Lada, the Fire introduced the 2015 squad, and celebrated the expansion of the P.L.A.Y.S. (Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth, Soccer) Program. The crowd cheered Chicago Fire players David Accam, Kennedy Igboananike, Shaun Maloney and Mike Magee as they modeled the team’s new secondary Chicago flag-inspired jerseys.

“What a terrific day to celebrate the season ahead,” said Atul Khosla, COO, Chicago Fire Soccer Club.  “This has been a fantastic offseason, both on and off the field and we look forward to our first MLS match of the year this Friday and to the home opener March 14. A special thanks, as well, to our friends at Magellan Corporation. Their support today was central to the success of the event.” The luncheon raised more than $85,000 for the Chicago Fire Foundation.

A by-invitation-only luncheon today with some of the business community's most prominent leaders raised $200,000 toward building a $9.8 million tennis facility on land that was formerly part of the Robert Taylor Homes.

"We raised the money we needed to break ground," Kamau Murray, executive director of the foundation that runs the facility, told me after the luncheon. "The goal is to bring more tournaments and events to the city so our kids can gain a ranking. You can't go for a scholarship to college without that."

Richard Price, chairman and CEO of Mesirow Financial, gathered friends and clients for the event at his company's Clark Street office to hear Mayor Rahm Emanuel and others talk about how the tennis center will transform Chicago. Mesirow donated $50,000 toward the new facility.

The 112,000-square-foot facility at 54th and State streets will be home to 10 tennis courts, a fitness center, a running track and classrooms. To continue reading, click here.

‍

The Chicago Bulls unveiled the sixth iteration of their iconic player introduction video, “Running of the Bulls”, at tonight’s home opener vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Bulls remained true to the tradition of the “Running of the Bulls”, which is marking its 20th anniversary this season, while modernizing the film by incorporating cutting-edge innovations in visual effects technology.

Today, player introductions are presented by BMO Harris Bank, and the new player introduction video incorporates BMO Harris Bank, Magellan Corporation and United Airlines.

“The Bulls are proud of our history as a leader in blending entertainment and live sports,” said Michael Reinsdorf, Chicago Bulls President and COO. “The reimagined ‘Running of the Bulls’ integrates the latest in visual technology with the tradition that our fans love and expect from our team. The new video, paired with enhanced graphics on the United Center’s new 3-tier LED ribbon boards, as well as concert-style lighting design and special effects, elevates the fan experience to a whole new level.” To continue, click here.

‍

United Center restrooms and the Benny the Bull blimp that flies around the arena during Chicago Bulls games will have corporate ties this season, part of the team's slate of 15 new or expanded sponsorship deals.

Headlining the new crop is Cincinnati, Ohio-based plumbing and drainage company Roto-Rooter, which becomes the first sponsor of the United Center's public restrooms. Under the deal, the company will have signage on restroom mirrors, above urinals and outside select restrooms.

Selling rights to restrooms is a sign of the Bulls' brand strength, though it's also a logical fit for Roto-Rooter, says sports sponsorship consultant Josh Kritzler, who helped pioneer bathroom ad signage in ballparks before launching his Chicago-based firm Property Consulting Group.

"Public restroom signage offers a captive audience," he said. "And it gives you the opportunity to be a little more risque or creative. For a brand like Roto-Rooter, that's a very top-of-mind place to deliver their message."

To continue reading, click here.

Each Almost Home Kids 2014 Share the Care Ball Awardee shares a common trait in that they have supported the group's mission in an outstanding and exceptional manner, and Almost Home Kids is extremely grateful for everything they have done for their children and families.

AHK friend and supporter Janet Davies ( ABC7 ) will host the Share the Care Ball for the third year in a row, the Ken Arlen Orchestra will provide music to dance to, and the honor role musicians from the Waubonsie Tri-M Quartet will provide classical music during cocktails; all of this in the Gold Coast Room and French Room at The historic Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago.

Magellan Corporation is the title sponsor for the event. "Magellan is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor for the 2014 Share the Care Ball," said Bob Arthur, president of Magellan Corporation. "Being able to support Almost Home Kids and their mission in this way is an important part of our commitment to the community and the health and well-being of children with complex medical needs."

To continue reading, click here.

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers played to a crowd of hundreds of appreciative guests of the Old Town School of Music's 2014 Blue Jean Gala.

The Steep Canyon Rangers is an American bluegrass band based in North Carolina. While they formed in 2000, it was the addition in 2009 of well-known comedian but accomplished banjo player Steve Martin that catapulted them to wider recognition. In 2013, their solo album Nobody Knows You won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album. The previous year, their 2012 collaboration with Steve Martin, Rare Bird Alert, was nominated for the same award.

As sponsor of the event, Magellan Corporation was able to treat guests to a meet-and-greet with Steve Martin and band. As always, the Blue Jean Gala began with a culinary crawl up Lincoln Avenue, and ended with a great musical performance. All proceeds from the always-anticipated annual event go toward the vast array of musical programming and educational opportunities provided by the Old Town School of Folk Music.

To commemorate Wrigley Field's 100th birthday and the many historical moments that have taken place at the park over the last century, Cubs Charities honored the Friendly Confines with a momentous philanthropic effort. Beginning May 30, Chicagoans and tourists found Michigan Avenue lined with 50 custom-made pairs of ballpark seats.

"This has been such a special year as we celebrate Wrigley Field and what the park has meant to Chicago over the past century," said Laura Ricketts, Board Chair of Cubs Charities. "Cubs fans are truly the greatest in baseball, so we can't wait to honor them by giving back to the community with this special Centennial Seats program."

Sponsored by Magellan Corporation, the Centennial Seats were installed the evening of May 29 for their morning debut Friday, May 30. "We like to get involved with charitable projects that give back to our community - and this is possibly the most colorful and exciting one yet," said Michael Minkus of Magellan Corporation.

‍

With an “Into the Wild” safari theme, Bear Necessities celebrated its 21st Annual Bear Tie Ball at on Saturday, March 8, 2014. Philanthropists, socialites, cancer survivors and more came out to support this non-profit organization to raise funds for pediatric cancer research and resources.

The organization was inspired by Barrett “Bear” Krupa. He was diagnosed with a form pediatric cancer called Wilms tumor, and lost his battle at the age of 8-years old in 1993. He and his mother, Kathleen A. Casey, would create Bear Necessities to raise funds for medical research and help others going through sickness.

The Hope Award, named after William J. Casey, honors individuals and organizations that assist the organization in its mission and provide hope and support to those who are impacted. President Bob Arthur was on hand to accept the award for Magellan Corporation, the Spotlight Sponsors for the Bear Tie Ball. The organization have represented as sponsors for 10 years.

‍

Across Chicago, members of service and athletic institutions congratulated the Reinsdorf family for their recent philanthropic honor by La Rabida Children’s Hospital. The Reinsdorfs, who own the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago White Sox, received the Family Philanthropy award during the 2013 Friends of La Rabida Awards Celebration on Friday night.

La Rabida Children’s Hospital, established in 1896, is a pediatric specialty care hospital, treating children with chronic illnesses, developmental disabilities, and other lifelong conditions. La Rabida provides family centered, interdisciplinary care to 7,500 children with special health care needs each year at its lakeside location. The hospital’s annual gala is a major fundraiser for the hospital and its programs, which rely on philanthropy and Medicaid to operate.

The Reinsdorf family is a longstanding supporter of the hospital, which exclusively serves children with special health care needs. To continue reading, click here.

If you've seen Derrick Rose, Tom Thibodeau or any othermember of the Chicago Bulls organization on TV speaking to the media over the past three years, you're likely familiar with the name Magellan.

It's in the white "three sails" logo dotting the black backdrop for nearly every Bulls news conference, screaming for attention while you're hanging on every spoken word.

But you probably don't know what Magellan is, what it does where it's based — and for Magellan, that's just fine.

"We're not trolling for new customers," Magellan President Bob Arthur said.

A quick rundown: Deerfield-based Magellan Corporation is a global distributor of specialty steel products and a subsidiary of cargo ship management conglomerate Seatrade Transport International Inc.

The company operates more than 40 oceangoing boats that ship industrial steel products used in factories and on machinery but not typically in the consumer space. To continue reading, click here.

Tucked away in the back of Miner School in Arlington Heights is a greenhouse and sustainable vegetable garden.

Students at the therapeutic day school helped to cultivate its plants -- mostly different varieties of lettuce and spinach -- during the spring, with the hopes of growing fresh vegetables for the Wheeling Township Food Pantry.

These community partners were recognized during a celebration that originally had been designed to honor the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization's "Shining Stars," or students and faculty who had gone above and beyond. This year, they included community partners of the education cooperative, which serves students from a number of local school districts.

Honorees included Frank Paolillo of Park Ridge and his company, the Magellan Corp. in Deerfield, who together donated 20 iPads to students at Timber Ridge School, another therapeutic day school in Arlington Heights.

"We wanted to help further students' educational and social development," Paolillo said.

‍

‍

‍