THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who supported and joined us for April Food Day 2023!
April Food Day is United Way’s annual food collection event and awards luncheon that addresses food insecurity in the south-southwest suburbs, a region facing high levels of poverty and systemic education, health, and wealth inequities.
To learn more about the April Food Day 2023 - Food Collection, click here.
Awards Luncheon Event Details
Thursday, April 27, 2023
11:30am - 1:00pmTinley Park Convention Center
18451 Convention Center Dr.
Tinley Park, IL
Questions? Please contact Maya Hardy.
2023 Honorees
Bonita M. Parker
Community Leadership Award
Kellogg's
Business Leadership Award
Cook County
Game Changer Award
LUNCHEON KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Born and raised on Chicago's South Side, Chris was raised by his mother, Zora, a single parent surviving on $250 per month from public aid. In 1987, his life would change dramatically when he accepted a football scholarship from legendary Coach Lou Holtz and the University of Notre Dame.
Chris made history as part of Notre Dame football’s all-time winning streak with 23 consecutive wins. As a starter for Notre Dame, he compiled an impressive 33-4 record. Of those 37 games, his team went into 21 of those games ranked #1 in the nation. Following his 1991 graduation from Notre Dame, Chris was drafted by Hall of Fame Coach Mike Ditka and the Chicago Bears NFL team. Recognized for his fierce commitment on and off the playing field, Chris received a score of athletic awards: selection as an alternate for the 1993 Pro Bowl, NFL “Extra Effort” Award, The 10th Anniversary "All-Madden Team," and the NFL Man of the Year Award, just to name a few.
Read Chris Zorich's Full Bio
Chris R. Zorich, JD
Partner, Randall Partners, LLC
Former Chicago Bears Player
Chris made history as part of Notre Dame football’s all-time winning streak with 23 consecutive wins. As a starter for Notre Dame, he compiled an impressive 33-4 record. Of those 37 games, his team went into 21 of those games ranked #1 in the nation. Following his 1991 graduation from Notre Dame, Chris was drafted by Hall of Fame Coach Mike Ditka and the Chicago Bears NFL team. Recognized for his fierce commitment on and off the playing field, Chris received a score of athletic awards: selection as an alternate for the 1993 Pro Bowl, NFL “Extra Effort” Award, The 10th Anniversary "All-Madden Team," and the NFL Man of the Year Award, just to name a few.
In 1993, The Christopher Zorich Foundation was established to honor Chris’ mother, Zora Zorich, who passed away during his senior year at Notre Dame. The Foundation’s programs offered diverse community support: youth programs, holiday gift programs, educational and entertainment activities, and Thanksgiving grocery home deliveries to 1,500+ Chicagoans. In its 15 years of service, these combined programs assisted over 150,000 individuals. Because of his unyielding commitment to his community, Chris has received numerous community service awards, including personally receiving the Jesse Owens Foundation’s “Humanitarian Award” from the family of the late Olympic great Jesse Owens, as well as receiving Muhammad Ali’s limited commission “Humanitarian Award,” from Ali himself.
After retirement from the NFL, Chris attended Notre Dame Law School in order to further his ability to help those in need. While at Notre Dame Law School, he served clients at the Notre Dame Legal Aid Clinic, a non-profit organization designed to provide free legal assistance to those with minimal resources. After graduation from law school, he worked in the legal field for several years and served as a board member for a variety of civic boards, including the Joffrey Ballet, Urban Prep Academies, the Chicago Public Library, and The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.
In 2007, Chris was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, as one of the best defensive linemen to have ever played the collegiate game. Then in 2008, Chris started his athletic administration career, making stops at the University of Notre Dame, Prairie State College, and eventually as the athletic director at Chicago State University.
Chris is currently a partner at Randall Partners, LLC, a national executive search firm. He leads the Human Resources & the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion practice areas for the firm. Through his leadership, his practice areas have garnered national attention, like being named to Hunt Scanlon’s 2021 HR/Diversity Recruiting Power 65.
As a nationally acclaimed motivational speaker, Chris' story is well documented. He has been profiled in various media outlets: The Oprah Winfrey Show, NBC's EXTRA, ABC's Good Morning America, TV Guide, Sports Illustrated, USA Weekend magazine, Highlights for Children, People magazine, Schwarzkopf's America/NBC Nightly News and Reader's Digest. He has also moderated various town hall meetings on numerous topics, including race and gender issues, the influence of sports in our society, and the influence of drugs on America’s youth.His ability to inspire and motivate others has earned him sponsorship associations and speaking opportunities with multiple Fortune 500 companies such as Coca-Cola, DirecTV, McDonald's Corporation, Northern Trust Bank, Reebok International, State Farm Insurance, Tribune Company, United Airlines, and UnitedHealthcare.
Support April Food Day with a Financial Gift
To support the event with a donation by credit card, please complete the donation form below.
For more ways to make a contribution, click here.
Thank you for your support.
To donate by stock, wire transfer, or other assets, please email donorhelp@LIVEUNITEDchicago.org or call 312.906.2238
To pay by check, please note “April Food Day 2023” on the check and make checks payable to United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. Please mail by US Postal Service to United Way of Metro Chicago | 231196 Momentum Place | Chicago, IL 60689
If shipping by UPS, FedEx, or messenger service, please send to United Way of Metro Chicago | Fifth Third Lockbox | Lockbox #231196 | 910 Pasquinellii Dr. | Westmont, IL 60559-5526
Event Sponsors
Thank you to our generous sponsors who make this event possible.
