USO Clark After Dark

The USO Illinois’ 9th annual Clark After Dark block party on August 17th was indeed the last “Hoo-ah!” of the 2017 summer! The event raised $182,000 thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and attendees. This support will fund programs to support more than 318,000 military members and their families, each year, in Illinois. Thank you to our sponsors Boeing, Leopardo, Dover Corp, BBMC Mortgage, Gurtz Electric, Fat Baby Tacos, Verizon, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Cushman & Wakefield, Combined Insurance, Bub City, Miller as well as all of our other great supporters!

Special guests included Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini from Windy City Live and the 2nd Battalion 24th Marines who attended and brought a custom, Marine Corps Humvee and a U.S. Marine Corps HMMWV. The Marines provided patrons a special glimpse inside and aboard a military vehicle allowing people to go into the emptied-out gunner section of the vehicle. Guests rocked out to four of Chicago’s favorite cover bands, the LowDown Brass Band, the Moxie Sisters, Liquidated Damages and Sixteen Candles.

The Chicago’s River North district hotspots, Chicago Cut, Bub City, and Barrio generously catered the VIP tents. Once again this year, Clark After Dark was sponsored in part by Boss Bar, a staple in the neighborhood since the 1980’s, who provided a deluxe, indoor VIP experience to show their support for local military and the mission of the USO Illinois.

Published October 11, 2017