during Boo 7 last year.
(Photo provided by Mark Matthews)
Who says dressing up at Halloween is just for kids? Homewood-Flossmoor residents can get into costume and get into the spirit at Boo 8, a costume party at Wiley’s Grill on Oct. 24 that starts at 8 pm.
Featuring a live band, the annual event is a popular fundraiser for the Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Support Center (CSC) in Homewood. The event is sponsored by CSC’s Homewood Community Board.
Wiley’s Grill is located at Coyote Run Golf Course, 800 Kedzie Ave. in Flossmoor.
“People really support the effort year after year,” said Mark Matthews, board president. “A lot of philanthropy around cancer goes to help find a cure for people who will have cancer in the future. But the Cancer Support Center helps people who are battling cancer today, and their loved ones, too.”
The center offers a holistic approach: from counseling and support groups to yoga and nutritional counseling, all provided by expert professionals at no cost.
“There’s no cost to participate, so whether someone has great health insurance or really modest coverage, it doesn’t make a difference,” Matthews said. “All of our services are funded by donations and events like Boo 8.”
And while it’s a lot of fun, the event has an important goal: to spread the word throughout the community about the wonderful programs the CSC offers its patients and their families, said board member Brent Bachus.
Now in its eighth year, the party continues to draw new revelers.
“There are lots of new faces every year,” Bachus said. “Dressing in costume gives people a chance to express their creativity, and it also provides a little escapism. Some people really get into character. You never know when you’re going to run into a friend or a neighbor, and you might not recognize him because of the costume. It’s a lot of fun.”
Tickets for Boo 8 are $60 each, and the price of admission includes hors d’oeuvres and an open bar. Participants must be 21 or older to attend.
To buy tickets or get information on Boo 8, contact Allison Smith at [email protected] or at 708-798-9171.