– The Chicago Auto Show’s 28th annual First Look for Charity black-tie gala raised more than $2.8 million for 18 local nonprofit organizations, boosting the total to more than $53 million since its inception. Held the evening before the nation’s largest auto show opens to the public, First Look for Charity offers car buffs and socialites alike the first chance to see the industry’s latest cars, trucks and SUVs while sampling fine fare and crafted cocktails from area restaurants and caterers. Two attendees also left with the keys to new vehicles.

“First Look for Charity is a great instrument for the area’s new-car dealers to show the positive impact they have on their community,” said Ray Scarpelli Jr., chairman of the Chicago Auto Show. “All the benefiting charities are involved locally, so the money that’s raised in Chicago stays in Chicago.” 

A highlight of the evening was the drawing for the event’s grand prizes, this year a 2019 Chevrolet Blazer and a 2019 Jeep Compass. Justin Salazar, of Chicago, won the former; and Winston Woodard and his wife, Janeen Naki-Woodard, both of Oak Lawn, won the latter. 

Regarding winning the keys to the all-new Blazer, Salazar said “I did think we had a little bit of a chance to win. On his reaction to winning, Woodard said “I’m excited. I know my two boys will be excited, too.”

Chevrolet and the Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers provided the Blazer, and the Compass was compliments of FCA US LLC.

Wintrust Financial, the Chicago Auto Show’s official bank sponsor, also bestowed $250 gift cards on both winners. 

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This year’s beneficiaries included the 100 Club of Chicago; Advocate Health Care; Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago; Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago; Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet; Clearbrook; The Cradle; Franciscan Community Benefit Services; JDRF; Susan G. Komen-Chicago; Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago; Lydia Home & Safe Families for Children; March of Dimes; Misericordia; New Star; Special Olympics Illinois; Turning Pointe Autism Foundation; and Jesse White Tumbling Team.

The 2019 Chicago Auto Show runs from Feb. 9-18 and is open daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day, except for the final day, Presidents Day, when the show closes at 8 p.m. 

“The Chicago Auto Show has something to offer everyone, whether you’re interested in purchasing a new vehicle, checking out the hottest concept cars, experiencing interactive displays, or just taking the family out for a fun day, there’s so much to see and do at the 2019 show,” said Chicago Auto Show Chairman Ray Scarpelli. 

Special-themed days include Sports Team Pride Day on Feb. 11, Women’s Day on Feb. 12, Hispanic Heritage Day on Feb. 15, Chicago Friday Night Flights on Feb. 15, A Safe Haven Chicago Auto Show Food Drive Feb. 13-15 and Family Day on Feb. 18.

Ticket prices are $13 for adults, $7 for seniors aged 62 or older, $7 for children ages 7-12 and free admission for children 6 and younger when they accompany a paying adult.

For more details on First Look for Charity, please visit www.FirstLookforCharity.org. For more information on the 2019 Chicago Auto Show (Feb. 9-18), please visit www.ChicagoAutoShow.com,

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About the Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America, spanning more than 1 million square feet of production, concept and exotic vehicle exhibit space. In addition to hosting multiple world and North American vehicle debuts, the Chicago Auto Show’s First Look for Charity raises more than $2.5 million annually for 18 vital Chicago organizations in a single night. The 2019 public show is Feb. 9-18. For more information, visit www.ChicagoAutoShow.com or www.Facebook.com/ChicagoAutoShow.

About the Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Founded in 1904, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association is one of the nation’s largest metropolitan dealer organizations. It is comprised of more than 420 franchised new-car dealers and an additional 150 allied members. The group’s dealer members employ about 19,000 people in the metropolitan area. The association has produced the world-famous Chicago Auto Show since 1935. For more information please visit www.CATA.info.