15-Dec-16 – About 50 children were bussed to River North on Wednesday for a party at Dick’s Last Resort that has been a holiday tradition at the restaurant for 26 years, started when Dick’s was in the River East neighborhood.

“We wanted to provide a really special afternoon,” said Dick’s CEO Steve Schiff. “These are children who probably would not be getting much for Christmas.”

Besides closing much of the restaurant, Dick’s Last Resort serves a kid-friendly buffet and buys gifts for the children. Schiff estimates that over 26 years they have spent more than $80,000 on gifts, shopped for by bar manager Paul Grieshaber and wrapped by employees.

Activities included face painting (left) and carols sung by students at VanderCook College of Music. Photo by Wendy Hauser.

Helping with gifts this year is Amata Holdings, a commercial real estate company. CEO Ron Bockstahler donated $1,000 to buy for each child a Christmas stocking filled with school supplies.

Since 1990, more than 1,800 children have attended the annual party at Dick’s. The children are selected by community volunteers and school officials. The event is organized by civic leader Kathy Posner. Also attending this year were officers from the 18th police district, including the new commander, Paul Bauer.