Like Mike
Mike Ditka helps give kids a sporting chance.

Legendary Bears coach Mike Ditka welcomed more than 100 guests to his steakhouse (100 E. Chestnut) last Tuesday night. The sit-down dinner was in support of Kids Have Hope, an organization founded in 2009 that helps tackle issues of childhood physical and sexual abuse. The $15,000 raised will go toward educating children about abuse. “We want to give kids their own armor so they know how to prevent abuse themselves,” said the organization’s founder, Melissa Curk. Ditka took the mike before dinner, adding, “Anything you can do to help a kid on the right path in life is important.” As far as his beloved Bears go, Ditka wished them a great season and kept the crowd laughing as he insisted he wasn’t staging a comeback. “It’s been a hell of a run, but it’s over.” —Katerina Bizios The Sun-Times was the media sponsor of this event.