Jaguar Presents 16th Annual 'Ringside for Mercy's Sake,' Proudly Supported by Chicago's Financial Exchanges

Boxing Gala to Raise Funds for Chicago's Mercy Home

CHICAGO, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the 16th straight year, the leaders and employees of the financial industry's leading exchanges are joining the fight to save kids. And joining them for the 7th straight year is Jaguar Cars, which has donated a luxury automobile for a high-end raffle benefiting Mercy Home.

It's all part of Ringside for Mercy's Sake -- a spectacular black-tie fundraising gala Saturday, November 10 at 6:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Chicago Marriott Downtown Hotel.

Ringside features dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions, a drawing for the New 2009 Jaguar XF, a Horseshoe Casino VIP Lounge, and live boxing matches between members of the financial industry's leading exchanges.

Employees from the newly-formed CME Group, (which now includes the Chicago Board of Trade following its historic merger with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange earlier this year), NYSE Euronext, The Chicago Board Options Exchange, and Mesirow Financial will slug it out in the boxing ring to electrify a crowd of 1,200 guests, and to raise funds for Mercy Home for Boys & Girls.

On hand for the event will be the chairmen of the financial industry's heavy hitters, as well as one of boxing's top all-time heavy hitters, "Smokin'"Joe Frazier.

Mayor Richard M. Daley serves as the event's Honorary Chairman. The event is co-chaired by: William J. Brodsky, (Chairman, CBOE), Terrence A. Duffy (Executive Chairman, CME Group), Jerry Putnam (Senior Advisor, NYSE Euronext), and James Tyree (Chairman, Mesirow Financial). Event Vice Chairmen include Patrick Arbor, (Shatkin Arbor, Inc.), and William Castellano, (Worknet, Inc.)

The action outside the ring this year will be more spectacular than ever. Incredible live and silent auctions will offer chances to win amazing vacation and experience packages, sports memorabilia, jewelry and much, much more.

Mercy Home Board of Regents member Rich Daniels will lead his famous City Lights Orchestra to provide the elegant backdrop for a night of fine dining and dancing.

Guests will enjoy wines provided by Frasca Hospitality, and spirit brands from Pernod Ricard, including the Stoli Elit Martini, Jameson Irish Whiskey, The Glenlivet and Perrier Jouet Champagne.

Chances to win the New 2009 Jaguar XF have been available since September at http://www.mercyhome.org/getgorgeous and at several Chicagoland locations during the Jaguar Car Tour. The winning entry will be drawn live at Ringside on November 10, 2007 and the winner need not be present.

Ringside for Mercy's Sake's began in 1992 as a unique collaboration between the leadership of Chicago's financial exchanges and today includes boxers from companies across the country. Rev. Scott Donahue, President and CEO of Mercy Home expressed his continued gratitude for the enduring support of exchange leaders over the years and for the many sponsors, donors and other volunteers who make Ringside a success. "Mercy Home is truly blessed by our partnership with leaders in the business and civic arenas," said Fr. Donahue. "We are immensely grateful for their support of our mission and their compassion for our young people."

Mercy Home for Boys & Girls

Since 1887, children who need hope, healing and a place to call home have been finding hope and healing at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. At-risk young people who have been the victims of abuse, neglect, poverty and even abandonment are provided with the opportunity to improve their lives in Mercy Home's residential, aftercare, and mentoring programs. Mercy Home is 99% privately funded and operates two locations - a home for boys at 1140 W. Jackson Blvd. in Chicago's West Loop and a home for girls at 11600 S. Longwood Dr. on the South Side of Chicago.