CHICAGO (WBBM Newsradio) — Forget sneakers! Chicago’s newest race will have teams rolling actual beds down the street.
The Great Chicago Bed Race, hosted by the Chicago Furniture Bank, is set for Sunday, Sept. 28, outside Midwest Coast Brewing on the Near West Side. The inaugural fundraiser will feature teams of five--four pushers and one rider--decorating twin beds on wheels and racing them head-to-head down Walnut Street.
“It will absolutely be one of the most ridiculous events you’ll see in Chicago,” said Elle Ullum, Chief Development Officer of the Chicago Furniture Bank. “We will be literally racing beds down the streets of Chicago to raise money for the Chicago Furniture Bank.”
Organizers say the race is designed to be both competitive and creative. Teams are encouraged to pick themes, from Chicago sports to movie characters, with prizes awarded for the fastest, best decorated, and top fundraising team. Food trucks, music and raffle prizes will round out the day.
But behind the humor is a serious mission. The Chicago Furniture Bank furnishes about 4,000 homes each year for families transitioning out of homelessness. Proceeds from the race will go directly toward that work.
“With the work we do, we’re bringing stability and dignity to help those families be successful in their journey,” Ullum said.
In addition to fundraising, Ullum emphasized the need for furniture donations. “We give away gently used and new furniture. We take furniture donations, we come and pick it up from you. So you just go online and submit a request.”
The Great Chicago Bed Race runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the starting gun at 11 a.m. Registration is $250 per team and closes Sept. 19.
For more information, visit chicagofurniturebank.org.