A 2020 Ford Explorer ST is just $275 away for someone who attends this year’s First Look for Charity.

 

But everyone who attends will feel like a winner. The black-tie gala on Feb. 7, held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public, directly benefits 18 important Chicago area charities. Last year, the event raised more than $2.9 million.
 
First Look for Charity, now in its 29th year, is a unique and elegant way to peruse the nation’s largest auto show before the throngs enter with their elbows aflyin’.
 
About 10,000 people are expected to attend First Look for Charity, a fraction compared to an average daily attendance during the show’s 10 public days. First Look for Charity attendees are treated to a wide variety of heavy hors d’oeuvres; spirits, champagne, wine, beer and soft drinks.
 
Tickets are $275 each and can be purchased at www.firstlookforcharity.org. For corporate benefactor packages of 25 or more tickets, call the CATA’s Erik Higgins at (630) 424-6008.
 
Purchasers can designate ticket proceeds to benefit any or all of the participating charities.
 
Benefiting charities this year include the 100 Club of Chicago, Advocate Health Care, the ALS Association Greater Chicago Chapter, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet, and Clearbrook
 
Also, Franciscan Community Benefit Services, JDRF, Susan G. Komen Chicago, the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Lydia Home & Safe Families for Children, Misericordia, New Star, Special Olympics Illinois, Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, and the Jesse White Tumbling Team.