CHICAGO COMEDIAN DAMON WILLIAMS AND OTHER NOTABLES TO JOIN STUDENTS IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO HELP THEIR PARENTS FOR CHRISTMAS


SUBURBAN GRADE SCHOOL STUDENTS TO HOST CHARITY BASKETBALL GAME TO RAISE FUNDS AND TOYS TO ASSIST PARENTS STILL CHALLENGED FROM SUMMER TORNADO DAMAGE


CHICAGO COMEDIAN DAMON WILLIAMS AND OTHER NOTABLES TO JOIN STUDENTS IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO HELP THEIR PARENTS FOR CHRISTMAS


HOMES STILL DAMAGED, TREES REMAIN ON PROPERTIES, CARS REMAIN IN DISARRAY FROM THE SUMMER STORMS


“OUR PARENTS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT TOYS FOR CHRISTMAS"


Friday, November 6th, 2026 @ 5:00 PM (Press Conference)

Barack Obama Learning Academy, 16448 S. Park, Markham, Illinois



(Hazel Crest, IL) Dean Barnett- President of Illinois Grade School District 152 ½ - along with General Superintendent Dr. Cynthia Levy- will be joined by Chicago Comedian Damon Williams ,students, District staff, and faculty in a Charity basketball game featuring district staff versus the students to raise money for families who have yet to overcome the violent summer tornados and storms of 2026.


The effort is being led by grade school students who have chosen to give back to the collective neighborhoods in which they reside where they are witnessing firsthand the pain and heartbreak of their parents and loved ones who have been shaken and still struggling to make ends meet from the summer tornados.


“Our students have expressed a willingness to not stand idle, but to join forces with their school district to provide much needed support for their parents and other community members who have found it difficult to find resources, relief, and recovery from the enormous tornado that has left a stain on the villages of Markham and Hazel Crest.” says 152 ½ School Board President Dean Barnett.


152 ½ General Superintendent of Schools Dr. Cyntia Levy adds, “Our hearts have been touched by the enormous expressions of support through the unified efforts of so many organizations. However, to just bear witness of our students who were forced to endure such a catastrophic and horrific event but would still like to take part in the aftermath of recovery and restoration is amazing."


The students approached President Dean. Superintendent Levy, and the mayors of Hazel Crest and Markham respectively and requested permission to host a ticketed charity basketball game in which the funds collected would purchase toys for the children of those parents who have not rebounded effectively from the summer storms.


“For these kids to have the foresight to understand the strain that the Christmas holidays already have on parents is honorable. But given the deplorable destruction of the summer storms, many families have depleted much of their budgeted funds on home repairs.” says Cook County Commissioner Dr. Kisha McCaskill.


The ticketed game will feature past and present basketball players of District 152 ½ versus various faculty and staff members of the district. The game is nearly sold out. In addition, attendees have been asked to purchase toys that will be given to families that have been stifled by the storms


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