Under perfect skies, more than 140 golfers, tennis players, and pickleball enthusiasts gathered at Exmoor Country Club for the 2025 Chicago Golf and Racquet Classic, setting a new record for participation.

The annual event combined friendly competition with a shared purpose: raising funds to help provide hunger-free weekends for children across Chicago.

Thanks to the leadership of Derran Smith and the Classic Committee, along with the generosity of sponsors including Aldridge Electric, Molex, Heico, the Canning Family, and Northern Trust, the Classic raised $100,000 to directly support Blessings in a Backpack’s Chicago programs.

Special guests included Mrs. Illinois 2025, Tracy Drost, and former Chicago Bear Israel Idonije, who joined participants in celebrating the day’s impact.

The event was more than a day on the course or court—it ensured that kids in the community will have access to the nutrition they need over the weekend.