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On April 19, 2008, over 75 guests gathered at Riva restaurant in Naperville, IL for the second annual Project Torch Dinner and Auction.
Among those in attendance were Project Torch President and Keynote Speaker Bill Scherr, who spoke to the group about his involvement on the Chicago 2016 committee, and divulged information on the proposed locations for Olympic venues.
Chicago area athletes Jake Herbert (2007 NCAA Wrestling Champion from Northwestern University) and Andrei Arlovski (Former UFC Heavyweight Champion) were also on hand. Herbert spoke to guests about the sacrifices athletes must make in their lives in order to become a champion.
As part of Project Torch's commitment to take America's Olympic Hopefuls to the next level, some of the best foreign athletes are brought in for training camps.
Damir Zakhartdinov (3x Olympian and World Medallist from Uzbekistan) and Dimitar "Mitko" Georgiev (Bulgarian National Team, 66kg), who had both participated in Overtime School of Wrestling's Senior Nationals Training Camp, were special guests at the dinner. The experience was not only great training for the athletes, but it was also a great cultural exchange for the foreign wrestlers to get to know members of the Chicago wrestling community.
The night was capped off with both a live and a silent auction, and overall the event raised over $40,000 to be used towards funding Project Torch's programs and athletes. Auction items and donors are listed below.
Project Torch would like to express gratitude towards all those who attended the event, and give special thanks to the individuals and businesses who donated and purchased items in our auction. We hope to build upon the success of this year's event, and make next year's even better.
Autographed David Diaz Gloves (Current WBC Lightweight Champion of the World)
Donated By: David Diaz
6 Rooftop tickets to the Cubs and White Sox Baseball Game on June 21st
Donated by: Carl Allegretti of Deloitte
90 Minute Private Mixed Martial Arts Lesson for 4 with Former UFC Champion Andrei Arlovski
Donated By: Andrei Arlovski
One Week Vacation at a Condo on the Beach in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Donated By: Don and Helen Reynolds
3 Day/2 Night Fishing Trip to Seeley Lake, Montana (Including 2 Boats)
Donated by Upland Angler Outfitting
4 Tickets to the Chicago Bears vs the Green Bay Packers Football Game on December 22
Donated by Bill and Donna Barnhisel
Golf and Lunch for 4 at Prestwick Country Club
Donated By: Don and Helen Reynolds and went
Dinner for 6 at Courtyard Bistro in Frankfort
Donated By: Tony Glavas
Joseph Ribkoff Designer Jacket
Donated By: My Sisters and Me Boutique
Appliance Set of 10 Items
Including a Cordless Drill, Halogen Spotlight, Wrench Set, Egg and Muffin Toaster, and an Apple Dipper. Inside the Cordless Drill and the Apple Dipper were 6 White Sox tickets donated by Carl Allegretti of Deloitte.
Donated By: Bazaar, Inc
Taylormade Golf Club
Donated by: Bill Scherr
Official 2008 Olympic Lapel Pins
Donated by: Bill Scherr
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