CATA presents check to USO of Illinois

CHICAGO -- Chicago Automobile Trade Association Chairman Ray Scarpelli joined WCL hosts Wednesday to present a check for $144,000 to USO of Illinois President Alison Ruble. CATA, Chicagoland's new-car dealers,raised the money through their "BBQ for the Troops" events.

This is the fifth year that CATA and the USO of Illinois are partnered for the "BBQ for the Troops" initiative. Throughout the month of July, local dealerships raised funds for the USO of Illinois. A record 100 dealers representing more than 50 communities fired up their grills to host "Barbecue for the Troops" fundraising events to support local military and their families.

On Thursday, the CATA will join the USO of Illinois onstage at USO Clark After Dark for a formal 2017 USO Barbecue for the Troops check presentation. The USO of Illinois' 9th annual Clark After Dark festival is a favorite for Chicagoans, combining a night of fun in the heart of Chicago's River North district with an opportunity to support the troops. Proceeds from the event benefit the USO of Illinois' programs and services, which support more than 318,000 Illinoisan military and military families each year. Raffle and/or ticket packages begin at $10.

Visit the USO of Illinois website for more information: http://usoofillinois.org/clark-after-dark/

For more information on CATA, visit: http://www.cata.info/. To find a new car dealer, visit: http://www.drivechicago.com/