By Dinah Party/Windy City Rollers
For their 2013 home season, the Windy City Rollers are once again teaming up with a few hand-picked charities, this year through their Charity Round-Robin Bout. This bout pairs the Hell’s Belles, Manic Attackers, Double Crossers, and The Fury each with a charity which they will support throughout the entire home season.
The Windy City Rollers are strong proponents of community outreach and engagement both on and off the track. Chicago’s premier roller derby league has a history of spotlighting a local charitable organization at each one of its bouts to support their mission and values through public awareness, while offering each of these charities a financial donation.
On January 26, the Windy City Rollers will host a single-elimination tournament for these charities with four 30-minute mini-bouts. First, the Manic Attackers will face the Hell’s Belles. Directly following, The Fury will take on the Double Crossers. The winners of the first two bouts will then fight for the opportunity to award their charity of choice prize money in the last bout of the night.
All four of the charities are confirmed and include CircEsteem, Urban Initiatives and the Working Bikes Cooperative.
* The Working Bikes Cooperative gives life to old bikes and independence to those who ride them in the underserved communities of Chicago, Africa and Central and South America. The Cooperative gives away more than 5,000 bikes a year, some in Chicago. Many are shipped to places like El Salvador where a bicycle can mean the difference between poverty and transportation to a job. Currently it receives no government or foundation monies. All its operations are funded through the sale of the bicycles at its storefront located at 2434 S. Western Avenue in Pilsen.
* Urban Initiatives is a nonprofit organization that runs health, education and character development programming for kids in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). By actively engaging participants in our extracurricular activities at a young age, Urban Initiatives empowers youth to live a healthy lifestyle, value education and enhance their personal and social development. Urban Initiatives takes a collaborative, whole child approach to development in order to provide children with the opportunity to reach their full potential.
* Rape Victim Advocates is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the healing and empowerment of sexual assault survivors through non-judgmental crisis intervention counseling, individual and group counseling, and medical and legal advocacy in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. RVA provides public education and institutional advocacy in order to improve the treatment of sexual assault survivors and to effect positive change in policies and public attitudes toward sexual assault.
* Since 2001, CircEsteem’s mission has been to unite youth from diverse racial, cultural and economic backgrounds and help them build self-esteem and mutual respect through the practice of circus arts. CircEsteem programs give students a chance to shine as center-ring stars in their very own circus, enhancing self-esteem as they overcome obstacles, achieve goals, and proudly exclaim, “Look what I can do!” Fostering confidence and cooperation, our professional circus staff teaches a variety of skills such as clowning, juggling, stilt-walking, ball-walking, unicycling, gym wheel and acrobatics. Students progress at their own pace while working hands-on with instructors in a safe and supportive environment.
Please visit our website for tickets information.
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WINDY CITY ROLLERS 2013 SEASON DATES:
January 26 – Charity Round-Robin Bout
Four 30-minute bouts
Manic Attackers vs. Hell’s Belles
The Fury vs. Double Crossers
Losers of bouts 1 and 2
Winners of bouts 1 and 2
February 9 – Home Season Opener
Manic Attackers vs. The Fury
Double Crossers vs. Hell’s Belles
March 1 (Friday night)
Manic Attackers vs. Double Crossers
Hell’s Belles vs. The Fury
March 30 – First Home Travel Team Bout
Toronto vs. Second Wind
Montreal vs. WCR All-Stars
April 20
The Fury vs. Double Crossers
Hell’s Belles vs. Manic Attackers
May 4 – Home Team Playoffs
June 8 – Ivy King Cup Championship Bout
July-November
Travel Team Season Schedule TBD
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Comments welcome.
Posted on January 16, 2013