Fox Pointe plays new home to longtime charitable event
By Carrie Steinweg
LANSING, Ill. (August 23, 2022) – The weather may have deterred a huge crowd, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of those who came out on Saturday night for the return of the Cheeseburger in Paradise event that has been on hiatus for a couple years.
Cheeseburger in Paradise history
The outdoor summer fundraising event was started over 20 years ago by a group of friends who were regulars at the Knights of Columbus and was hugely popular, packing the pavilion and area behind the hall.
Proceeds from the event went to make improvements to the Knights of Columbus building and grounds. One year, enough was raised to pay for new bar stools. Another year the proceeds went to pay for utilities. Other projects followed — new televisions, a beer garden, bathroom renovations.
A tradition lives on
After a pandemic pause, the event moved this year to Fox Pointe with the usual fare — cheeseburgers — with Ace Catering and Gino’s Banquets preparing the food. A portion of ticket sales went to the Cheeseburger in Paradise charity fund, which goes toward helping those in need locally.
“It supports a good cause and keeps a Lansing tradition going. It all started with just a group of friends who put it together,” said Ray Kosinski, owner of Ace Catering. “When it started out, they were helping the Knights of Columbus out to help it stay open. They decided to do any outdoor party to help.”
Along with part of the ticket sales going to the cause, the planning committee also did a 50/50 raffle and had a drawing for gift baskets that included donations from Meats by Linz and the Knights of Columbus.
His sister, Kim Kosinski, explained that the proceeds in recent years have gone toward helping domestic violence shelter Anew: Building Beyond Violence and Abuse (formerly South Suburban Family Shelter), and to fulfill Christmas wishes via Catholic Charities. About 25 people make up the Cheeseburger In Paradise group that plans and executes the fundraiser.
Saturday’s event
Cindy Barnes is a Lansing resident who attended Saturday’s event with friends. She said she’s a regular of the Fox Pointe Wednesday night concert series. “We live in Lansing and come to Fox Pointe most Wednesdays,” she said. “I think the fundraising part of this is great and we aways want to contribute to the community.”
Lansing resident Julie Venem said she was “excited to see them combine the event with a good cause. How nice that we can enjoy friends and also contribute to help those who can’t help themselves.”
Rain sprinkled on the crowd as the night began with gates opening at 5 p.m. and the band Somebody Yell Fritz! opening, followed by the Jimmy Buffet tribute band Gone 2 Paradise.
Kurt Popovich was dressed for occasion in Crocs’ Classic Margaritaville clogs that were created in partnership with the Jimmy Buffet restaurant. He bought them on a trip to Las Vegas and the Cheeseburger in Paradise event was the perfect time to break them in.
Cindy Bogucki was one of several volunteers who manned a raffle table where photos were also displayed of some of their past charitable efforts. “Money raised in the raffle helps to pay for holiday shopping for kids in need and those affected by domestic violence,” she explained.
Money for families, domestic violence survivors
According to Bogucki, the total raised between entry tickets, the 50/50 drawing and raffle was just under $1,000. “We do various fundraisers throughout the year all with the same goal of raising enough money to buy Christmas gifts for local area needy kids and food and household supplies for local domestic violence organizations.”
Those interested in making a donation to the cause can send an email to [email protected].
The next concerts at Fox Pointe are BBI on August 24, and Maggie Speaks on August 31
