Chicago, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/16/2012 -- Authentic baseball signed by baseball legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig will be featured in the Live Auction at the Dempster Foundation Casino Night. The baseball, donated by The Sutherland Family, was obtained from the Heritage Auction Galleries, and comes with a certificate of authentication by James Spence Authentication, one of the top authenticators in sports memorabilia. Through the Dempster Family Foundation proceeds from the sale of the baseball will benefit Children’s Memorial Hospital’s new state-of-the-art facility, the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, opening June 9th. Interested parties must be present to enter a bid on the baseball.

The Third Annual Dempster Foundation Casino Night is taking place Wednesday May 9, 2012 at the Palmer House Chicago. The night will include a VIP party from 6-7 PM and the main event in the Grand Ballroom starting at 7 PM. Guests will step back in time for a night on the town in “Old Chicago”—the theme for this year’s event –mingling with Ryan, the Chicago Cubs and other celebrity friends from the sports and entertainment industries, enjoying a full spread of delectable dishes and delicious drinks, courtesy of Budweiser and William Grant and Sons, along with a unique live and silent auction, fun casino games, and entertainment –all to raise funds to help “Strike Out 22Q” and support other children’s charities in Chicago.

In addition to the baseball, guests will have opportunities to bid on one-of-a-kind auction packages, experiences, and sports memorabilia. The silent and live auctions include a “Man Cave” Package from Abt valued at $3,000, a Don Mattingly autographed baseball bat, a 2 night stay at Reynolds Plantation Golf Resort and Spa in Georgia, a Fergie Jenkins and Ryan Dempster autographed stadium seat, a NASCAR race experience from Chicagoland Speedway, a Sammy Sosa autographed baseball, a behind the scenes tour of the MLB Network, among other autographed items and specialty gift certificates. This special night will help Strike Out 22q and raise funds to support the Dempster Family Foundation.

Sponsor opportunities, as well as VIP and general admission tickets, are still available, but going fast. Please log on to the Foundation website for more information at http://www.dempsterfoundation.org.

Sponsors to date include our MVP sponsors: Aloha Document Services, Sloan Valve, Steve and Sheila Sutherland, William Grant and Sons, The Madonna Family and Budweiser; All Star Sponsors: Aria Vegas, Atlantis Cars & Limos, Inc., Bernie’s Inc., Black Tie Formal Wear, Chicago Cubs, D’Agostinos, Merrill Lynch, Sidley Austin, and Tom and CeCe Ricketts; Dugout Sponsors: PMR, Landis Baseball Group, and Wildfire; and Fans of the Foundation: True Skin Care Center, Abt Electronics, Cupcakes for Courage, Candyality, Gold Coast Exotic Imports and Record-A-Hit Entertainment.

The Ryan and Jenny Dempster Family Foundation provides financial support to charities in the Chicagoland area which assist and comfort critically ill children. The Foundation also supports youth baseball programs, military families and animal shelters; and promotes awareness of, and offers hope for families of children diagnosed with a 22q11.2 deletion. On the 22q side, the Foundation empowers organizations to help children with this disorder overcome difficult situations through: providing funding to continue research for early detection of this disorder in children; supporting programs about 22q that provide education, physical therapy and activity to promote long-term well being; creating initiatives that build and instill confidence in these children; and developing a 22q network for families affected by this disorder to share stories and help navigate healthcare options and treatment. For more information about the Foundation, please visit our website at http://www.dempsterfoundation.org.

To learn more about this event, the Foundation in general, or to apply for a grant, please visit the Foundation website at: http://www.dempsterfoundation.org.