To commemorate Wrigley Field's 100th birthday and the many historical moments that have taken place at the park over the last century, Cubs Charities is honoring several Chicago area nonprofits, including the USO of Illinois, with a momentous philanthropic effort. Beginning May 30, Chicagoans and tourists can find Michigan Avenue lined with 50 custom-made pairs of ballpark seats. The 100 seats each depict a special moment in time at Wrigley Field. The USO of Illinois' seats, located at East Pearson Street and Michigan Avenue in Water Tower Park, commemorate the Armed Forces and their connection with Wrigley Field.

Lending their talents to the project were a dedicated corps of USO volunteers, with design and art direction skillfully provided by volunteer Captain Dustin Cammack, Illinois Army National Guard Public Affairs, who led the group through the project.  Each volunteer gave generously of their time and talents to bring the unique theme of the chairs to life.

Cubs Charities will be hosting an online auction where participants can place bids to purchase the seats. For more information on the auction please visit www.cubs.com/chairs. All proceeds from the nonprofit-designed chairs will be split between Cubs Charities and the respective partnering organization.

Thank you to our partners at the Chicago Cubs, PepsiCo, Pritzker Military Museum & Library, Gary Sinise, --and to our amazing USO Volunteer artists for your participation!

This month, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) has kicked off their second annual summer partnership with the USO of Illinois to support BBQ for the Troops. The BBQ for the Troops program is a nationwide initiative dedicated to raising money to support essential USO programming for military and military families. In 2013, the CATA and local automobile dealerships helped the USO of Illinois raise over $37,500.

"Many CATA dealers already provide support to military groups and returning service men and women, so we knew the USO Barbecue for the Troops idea would resonate tremendously among our membership," said CATA Chairman John Webb. "This is a great way to employ the community of new car dealers in Chicago for the benefit of a great organization."

Starting on July 19^th, Chicagoland dealerships will light up grills to support local military. Some of last year's activities included:

• Car Washes for donations
• Lunch specials for employees and their families and friends. Leave the brown bag at home and eat in, to support the troops
• Cornhole/Bags Games. No American barbecue is complete without a cornhole/bags tourney!
• Demand DJ, with donations made for song requests

The USO of Illinois would like to honor the CATA and all the dealerships who are participating in the BBQ for the Troops program this year.

Al Piemonte Chevrolet

Al Piemonte Nissan

Apple Chevrolet

Arlington Heights Ford

Arnie Bauer Buick GMC Cadillac

Biggers Chevrolet

Bill Stasek Chevrolet

Brilliance Honda

Chevrolet of Homewood

Christenson Chevrolet

Courtesy Buick-GMC

DuPage Dodge

Elgin Hyundai

Elmhurst Toyota

Evanston Subaru

Feeny Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Fox Valley Ford

Gregory Hyundai

Haggerty Buick GMC

Hennessy's Riverview Ford

Hoskins Chevrolet

Howard Buick-GMC

Jennings Chevrolet/Volkswagen

Joe Rizza Ford

Knauz AutoPark

Lexus of Merrillville

McGrath Acura of Morton Grove

McGrath Audi

McGrath Honda of Elgin

McGrath Honda of St. Charles

Naperville Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram

Oak Lawn Toyota

Orland Park Nissan

Packey Webb Ford

Ray Chevrolet

Raymond Chevrolet

River Front Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Rock Chevrolet

Ron Westphal Chevrolet

Shirey Cadillac

Sunrise Chevrolet

Terry's Ford of Peotone

Wickstrom Auto Group