Bears' wives help create memories for SEDOL students

About 160 children from two Special Education District of Lake County schools enjoyed the company of Chicago Bears players and their wives at an annual party last month.

Tamara Mannelly, Jackie Tillman and Jenava Tait were hosts for the SEDOL Foundation event at Gages Lake School. Mannelly's and Tillman's husbands are still on the Bears, while Tait's has retired from the team.

Long-snapper Patrick Mannelly, cornerback Charles "Peanut" Tillman, defensive end Alex Brown and tight ends Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark were among the Bears to attend and provide autographs to the SEDOL students.

Foundation Executive Director Ann Subry said the wives raised $7,500 for the party. The children noshed on pizza and then went home with gift bags that had everything from toothbrushes to gingerbread kits to Bears key chains.

It was the fourth consecutive year the Bears wives hosted and raised money for the 160 or so behaviorally and emotionally disabled children from SEDOL's Gages Lake and Sally Porter schools. The wives' goal is to make the holiday season more exciting and memorable for the children.

Subry said plans are being made for SEDOL Foundation's 19th annual Heart of Gold fundraising dinner-dance from 6 p.m. to midnight March 13 at Concorde Banquets in Kildeer. The event honors a community member who supports the foundation or a business. Individual tickets are $175. For more information, call Subry at the foundation at (847) 548-7032.