Jackson Canellis of Orland Park is combining two things he loves to help another.
The Sandburg High School junior loves to run. He loves the White Sox. And he especially loves helping those in need.
That’s why he and several teammates from Sandburg’s cross-country and track teams will participate Aug. 10 in the first-ever Run for a Cause: Crosstown Classic Fundraiser for BEDS Plus.
They will start at 3 p.m. beneath the marquee at Wrigley Field and finish around 4:30 p.m. at the World Series monument outside Guaranteed Rate Field, where the Sox play the Cubs at 6:10 p.m.
They are raising money for BEDS Plus, an organization that helps people by finding housing and serving more than 1,200 meals weekly. In fiscal year 2023, BEDS Plus assisted more than 2,500 people in 1,834 households, including 853 children.
As of July 31, the runners have raised more than $3,600, and it looks like they could race past their goal of $5,000.
Canellis, 17, who has volunteered preparing meals at the BEDS Plus location in Summit since he was in sixth grade, said he’s spent the summer “trying to find an additional way to help.”
With the popular Crosstown Classic being played Aug. 9 and 10, he decided a run between the ballparks was the perfect way to raise money along with awareness of the organization.
“I come from a big sports family, so I know how important the Crosstown Classic is,” Canellis said.
“I used to play baseball and now that I run cross-country and track, I thought it’d be fun to combine the two for a good cause,” said Canellis, who played second base and centerfield in Little League.
Although the ballparks are eight miles apart as the crow flies, Canellis will run 12 miles.
That’s because his route takes him along the lakefront after heading east on Addison from Wrigley Field.
He and friends will head down the lakefront path to 31st Street, then head west toward Guaranteed Rate.
His heritage played a role in his choosing to help BEDS Plus, where he’s prepared and served more than 750 lunches and meals for clients.
“Coming from a Greek family, food is a huge part of our culture. Some of my favorite memories are getting together over big meals,” he said.
“Working at BEDS (Plus) gives me the opportunity to help provide some of the same experiences. If I’m able to provide a sense of comfort through meals to someone who is struggling, that’s very rewarding,” he said.
Given the baseball theme, this is where Cubs and Sox fans can help, and root for their team at the same time. Donors who contribute at https://beds-plus.org/crosstown-classic-run-for-a-cause/ will be asked to choose between the Cubs and White Sox, and during Canellis’s run he’ll wear the jersey of the team that collects the most money. The race is tight right now with the Sox barely leading.
Yep, the White Sox fan could be wearing a Cubs jersey. But he doesn’t mind wearing Cubbie blue as long as the donations keep rolling in.
“I know a lot of my friends come from a house divided. Their mom may be a Cubs fan and their dad is a Sox fan,” he said.
Erin Molek of La Grange, the development manager for BEDS Plus, lives in one such home.
She cheers the Cub while husband Tim, who was a relief pitcher for Northwestern University’s baseball team, cheers the Sox.
“I grew up down the street (from Wrigley Field),” Molek said of her North Side allegiance.
“What I want to do is incite the Cubs fans to get (Canellis) into a Cubs jersey and the Sox fans to keep him out of it,” Molek said. “He’s a Sox fan, so the idea of him running in a Cubs jersey makes it even more fun.”
She called Canellis’ run idea “brilliant.”
“It’s such a great way to engage people. A unique way for a good cause,” she said.
“He took a skill that he has, a passion that he is, and wrapped it into a fundraising event. That’s really cool. Anyone who is a Chicago baseball fan or not can get involved in this,” Molek said.
Canellis figures the run could take 90 minutes or so, depending on how crowded the lakefront path is that day. He recruited teammates Matthew Miller, Mateo Ramiro, Luke Altzman, Brayden Gaffud and Myles Jacquez to run with him.
“We’re very excited that he chose us. He’s been a dedicated volunteer for years. This is something that can really take off,” Molek said.
“I think we’re going to have his name up on the (Wrigley Field) marquee when he starts. I’m working with Guaranteed Rate to secure a tailgate area for him and his supporters,” Molek added.
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
