Ride in an Indy Race Car, Air Combat, Rock Concert Promoter Among Many Items Offered
Ever wonder what it would be like to spend the day fishing with a professional bass angler? Here’s your chance to find out!
Special Olympics Illinois is holding an online auction on eBay from Friday, Oct. 14, thru Monday, Oct. 24, offering one-of-a-kind experiential packages as well as more traditional sports memorabilia to support the year-round sports training and competition programs it provides for people with intellectual disabilities. All proceeds realized from the winning bids will benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.
Among the 15 different items offered for bid is the opportunity to spend the day fishing with BASS, FLW and Ranger Boats pro Chad Morgenthaler. This is your opportunity to get tips and learn techniques from one of the best. The package includes an 8-hour day of fishing with this 3-time Bassmasters Classic qualifier in June or July 2006 on a Southern Illinois lake to be determined by the winner and Morgenthaler.
Each item has a minimum opening bid. To view the full list of experiential packages and unique sports memorabilia offered, as well as to place a bid, click on ebay website and enter the search words: Special Olympics Illinois.
Also offered is an opportunity for racing enthusiasts to experience what it’s like to ride in an Indy 500 race car with 2004 Indy 500 runner-up Vitor Meira at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a special two-seater race car. This package also includes two (2) reserved grandstand tickets for the 2006 Indianapolis 500, and hospitality at the Rahal Letterman Racing VIP area for Memorial Day, May 28, 2006.
Aviation or military enthusiasts can literally take to the skies to experience flying a fighter plane and engaging in an air combat “battle” including barrel rolls and vertical climbs. Closer to home, and more down to earth, an ultimate dinner party package for 10 people is offered. Specifically, a five-course meal, not only prepared by a gourmet chef and served by a butler, but also hosted by singer/songwriter Richard Marx and his wife, actress Cynthia Rhodes.
Also offered for bidding are behind-the-scene experiences at a Clear Channel radio station in Chicago (“Be a DJ for a Day”) and at a select production of the “Christmas Carol” at the Goodman Theatre. For fledgling rock concert promoters, the ultimate backstage experience can be realized courtesy of the Vic Theater in Chicago to shadow the staff from set-up to tear-down on the day of a concert. For a front-stage view, the Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island also is offering an exclusive VIP concert package for one of its 2006 shows.
When the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey ® Circus is at the United Center in November, a child can be an animal trainer prior to the show and then entire the actual show with their family. Similarly, the Chicago Police Department is offering a tour of its stables and a hands-on experience with the Mounted Patrol unit, as well as the opportunity to ride along on the local waterways with the Marine Patrol.
