Jaguar, Financial Firms and Exchanges Join Fight to Save Kids at 19th 'Ringside for Mercy's Sake'

CHICAGO, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, October 30, the Chicago Marriott on Michigan Avenue will be the setting for a unique evening of glamour and gladiators as amateur boxers from the financial industry square off once again at the 19th annual Ringside for Mercy's Sake.  Presented by Jaguar, the black-tie gala, boxing showcase, and high-end charity auction benefits Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, and is faithfully supported by the leadership of the financial industry's premier firms.

It all begins at 6:00 p.m. on October 30th in the Grand Ballroom of the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, 540 N. Michigan Avenue. The event runs until midnight.

Ringside evokes the visual spectacle of a Las Vegas boxing event and features live bouts between employees of leading financial firms and exchanges, including NYSE Euronext, Chicago Board Options Exchange, and Mesirow Financial. Select guests will enjoy the VIP lounge sponsored by Horseshoe Casino.

Outside the center ring, Ringside guests will enjoy an elegant atmosphere for fine dining, dancing to live music by The City Lights Orchestra, and luxurious live and silent auctions.

Celebrity guests include boxing great Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, and Indy car racing legend Bobby Rahal. The winning ticket for a three-year-lease of a 2011 Jaguar XF will be drawn live from the center ring. Tickets to win have been on sale since August at events throughout Chicago. This is the 11th year in a row that Jaguar has donated a luxury automobile to help raise support for Mercy Home.

The live auction features chances to bid on one-of-a-kind travel packages including a nine-day Peruvian adventure, a three-city tour with luxury hotel stays in of London, Paris and Monte Carlo, a special look at Fashion Week in New York City with designer Nicole Miller, a seven-night Caribbean resort stay at Jade Mountain in St. Lucia and more.  The silent auction will allow guests to bid on rare sports memorabilia, home decor, jewelry and much more.

Ringside is supported by leading figures in Chicago's business and civic arenas, including the event's Honorary Chairman Mayor Richard M. Daley, and Co-Chairs Paul Adcock, (NYSE Euronext), William J. Brodsky, (CBOE), and James C. Tyree (Mesirow Financial). Event Vice Chairmen include Patrick Arbor, (CHX Holdings), William Castellano, (Worknet Inc.), Fred Schulte, and David Gupta (System Development Integration, LLC). WBBM Newsradio 780 Chicago returns as Ringside broadcast sponsor while CBS2 Chicago news anchor Jim Williams will emcee the entire event live from the center ring. Mary Castellano and Paula McGrath serve as Auction Chairmen. American Airlines is the official airline of Ringside for Mercy's Sake.

Frasca Hospitality, owner of Kinzie Chophouse in Chicago, will provide fine wines, Goose Island has donated beverages, and Pernod Ricard will offer spirit brands including a special appearance by the Chivas 18 Ambassador who will host a Chivas Scotch tasting throughout the night.

Ringside for Mercy's Sake's began in 1992 as a unique collaboration between the leadership of Chicago's financial exchanges and today includes boxers from companies across the country.

About Mercy Home for Boys & Girls

Mercy Home for Boys & Girls has been a solution for kids in crisis since 1887. Its full-time residential, aftercare and community-based mentoring programs provide life-saving services to more than 600 troubled and hurting young women and men every year.  Mercy Home is 99.8% privately funded and operates at two locations in Chicago–a campus for boys at 1140 W. Jackson Blvd. and a campus for girls at 11600 S. Longwood Dr.

Please visit mercyhome.org to learn more.

SOURCE Mercy Home for Boys & Girls