Donnie Wahlberg Rocks Chicagoland Raising $759k to Help Kids with Autism For Generation Rescue
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”4″ gal_title=”All Galleries”]There was electricity in the air earlier this week in St. Charles, IL. New Kids On The Block member Donnie Wahlberg joined forces with Generation Rescue for Another Evening with Donnie Wahlberg and Special Guests concert, raising $759,000 to spread awareness and help fund autism treatment for low-income and at-risk families.
The “Blue Bloods” star’s wife, Jenny McCarthy who is board president of the foundation, kicked off the show with a heartfelt speech to fans and announced the groundbreaking, in St. Charles, of a custom built integrative health clinic providing comprehensive treatment for all individuals across the special needs spectrum.
Wahlberg took the stage along with the Chicago Children’s Choir. Joining him for the evening were fellow NKOTB members Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre and Danny Wood. Also donating their time and talent were Shawn Stockman and Wanya Morris from R&B group Boyz II Men and the hip-hop group Naughty By Nature. Singer Ashley Rodriguez sang a stunning version of True Colors, and the talented musicians backing the performers were Om’mas Keith, Stanley Randolph and musical director Rob Lewis, all of whom are currently on tour with NKOTB. Following the concert was an After Party hosted by Wahlberg and McCarthy at Shakou St. Charles.
“This evening is very special to me,” McCarthy said. “Not only does it help Generation Rescue provide low-income families with access to essential treatment, but it also gives Donnie and I a chance to connect with friends and fans in a special way. There’s no greater unity than spreading love for a good cause.”
To date, Generation Rescue has provided assistance to more than 750 families in all 50 states, with medical grants of $1.8 million and counting. Children assisted by Generation Rescue demonstrate improvements in sociability, sensory and cognitive awareness, speech and communication, as well as their health and physical behavior.
Long time donor, Pat Joyce of Summerwinds Resorts committed $1 million to build a clinic in the state of Missouri for Generation Rescue.
The evening wouldn’t have been made possible without the generous support of Rowena and Joe Salas of Hotel Baker, Live Nation, McKenzie Breidenthal, OxyHealth, Thiel Audio, and White Rose Angels. Sponsors also included Custom Companies, French Med Spa & Cryotherapie, Midwest Conference Services, Quick Logistics, Amazing Lash Studio, Amy and Shawn McDonald, Fox Valley Auto Group, Misty Feeley, Pauly D. Foundation, Pillow of Health, Sheri Cesak-Shriver and Melissa Potempa, The William & Mary Davis Foundation, and PartySmart.
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