VOL. XXIV, NO. 5

Young performers and Chicagoland personalities will perform at the Chrissi Miller Benefit Show sponsored by the Des Plaines Park District at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium this Friday.

Chrissi is a three year old who is in need of a lifesaving liver transplant which will cost her family approximately $100,000. Her non-functioning liver was discovered when she was only three months old. The operation will be conducted at Children's Hospital - the University of Pittsburgh, one of three hospitals in the country equipped to perform the operation.

Chrissi almost became the recipient of a liver transplant on Thursday, Feb. 3, when the hospital received a potential transplant from a liver donor. Chrissi was flown to Pittsburgh where it was later determined by the doctors that the liver was not acceptable for the operation. The Millers have been told that the doctors hope to have Chrissi back to the hospital within a month for her operation.

"I appreciate what everyone is doing," commented Mrs. Miller. "The people of Des Plaines are great. The nicest thing is, people you don't even know are doing things," she added.

The Melody Makers, a song and dance troupe of 40 children between the ages of 6-12 years old will perform a variety of music from Broadway hits to "Good-old songs" from the 1900's. Variety will also be added by the Mini Melody Makers who are between 3-5 years old.

The Haag‑Leviton Suzuki Academy of Performing Arts, who make television appearances and concerts in the United States, will also be a part of the benefit.

Specializing in jazz and tap dancing is the Miss Denise School of Dance. Sixty students from the school will perform.

The Master of Ceremonies for the evening's show will be Joan Esposito, WLS‑TV news reporter and co‑anchor for the weekend 10p.m. news. "My station felt that the Chrissi benefit was a very worthwhile program for us to become involved in. I only hope that all of us are able to raise enough money to cover the cost of the operation," commented Ms. Esposito. WLS‑TV will also be sending a mini cam to cover the evening's events.

Great America's Bugs Bunny is scheduled to help Ms. Esposito that evening. Also scheduled to appear are the Chicago Honey Bears and Chicago Bear wide receiver, Brian Baschnagel.

Many high ranking Des Plaines officials will also be in attendance. Mayor John E. Seitz will be there as well as Police Chief Leroy A. Alfano and Fire Chief Charles Gedroic.

Tickets for the show can be obtained from some Senior Class representatives, or at the Des Plaines Leisure Center and the Des Plaines National Bank. Adult tickets cost $3 and children tickets are $1.50. Mrs. Corie Bosworth, who organized this event, said, "We'll raise what we can."

Maine West donated the auditorium. Some Des Plaines police officers have donated their time as security guards for the evening. Many other organizations and businesses have donated their services for the show.

Other projects have been organized to help in raising money to cover the cost of the operation. A flea market was held on February 5 and 6, sponsored by the Des Plaines Police Dept. and its Boys Club. These organizations were hoping to. raise at least $10,000, but they surpassed that amount by raising $27,000. A Community Blood Drive to get at least 60 units of blood required for the surgery was conducted.

Donations have been taken at Spieglers in the Des Plaines Mall and the First National Bank.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Des Plaines sold Christmas wreaths, books and candy bars for Chrissi.

Nurses from Lutheran General Hospital also sold candy bars.

Between those four organizations, they have raised around $40,000 for her.

The North Du‑Cook Area Branch 8026 of the Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance Society will give a donation of $14,000 for Chrissi.