Urban Initiatives shot and scored with its 7th annual Soccer Ball, which was held at the River East Art Center (435 E. Illinois) on Jan. 25 and sold out faster than any previous year. Nearly 800 guests showed up to support the nonprofit’s health- and education-based soccer programs, which have expanded over the past six years to serve thousands of children attending 22 Chicago Public Schools. Masters of Ceremonies and ESPN 1000 hosts Marc Silverman and Carmen DeFalco entertained attendees who sipped cocktails, snacked on appetizers, danced and bid on silent auction items to help net nearly $300,000. The Sun-Times was the media sponsor of this event. Story by Talia Beechick | Photos by Kate Morgan-Olsen

Urban Initiatives shot and scored with its 7th annual Soccer Ball, which was held at the River East Art Center (435 E. Illinois) on Jan. 25 and sold out faster than any previous year. Nearly 800 guests showed up to support the nonprofit’s health- and education-based soccer programs, which have expanded over the past six years to serve thousands of children attending 22 Chicago Public Schools. Masters of Ceremonies and ESPN 1000 hosts Marc Silverman and Carmen DeFalco entertained attendees who sipped cocktails, snacked on appetizers, danced and bid on silent auction items to help net nearly $300,000.

The Sun-Times was the media sponsor of this event.

Story by Talia Beechick | Photos by Kate Morgan-Olsen