White Sox legend Ron Kittle and ESPN host David Kaplan are turning a suburban Irish bar into a big-league tribute tonight, headlining “A Night Remembering Orlando Rivas” at Finn McCool's Irish Sports Pub in Wheeling. The fundraiser will help support the family of the Buffalo Grove High School security guard who died after a pole fell on him following an April crash. Organizers plan a video tribute, a silent auction of White Sox memorabilia and game tickets, live music and a $20 buffet, with proceeds and a portion of food-and-drink sales going to the Rivas family.
Fundraiser details
School District 214 says the program runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Finn McCool’s, 373 W. Dundee Road in Wheeling, and will feature reflections from students, staff and family members. District 214 notes that ESPN's David Kaplan and White Sox great Ron Kittle will serve as masters of ceremonies, with live music by Replay and a raffle to follow. Finn McCool’s event page confirms tickets, the $20 buffet and that a percentage of sales will benefit the Rivas family.
How Rivas was killed
The Village of Buffalo Grove said the incident occurred on April 21 at roughly 3:20 p.m., when a vehicle exiting the high school parking lot struck a pole that then fell and hit Orlando Rivas, 52. He died several days later at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. In a news release the village described Rivas as a "trusted and familiar presence" on campus whose final act reflected "extraordinary care and compassion." The Village of Buffalo Grove also said the crash remains under investigation.
White Sox ties and community reaction
The Chicago White Sox and former players have publicly honored Rivas, whose father Roy Rivas worked for the team for decades, and CBS Chicago reports Ron Kittle, who knew the family, will help host the fundraiser. CBS adds the night will include a video tribute and auctions of White Sox memorabilia and game tickets, with organizers saying the proceeds will go to the family.
How to chip in if you can't attend
Those who cannot make the event can still support the family. Finn McCool’s lists ticket purchase information and event details, and ABC7 Chicago reported that a GoFundMe set up in April raised six figures for the Rivas family. ABC7 Chicago noted the strong outpouring of community donations and online fundraising earlier this spring.
Honors and the lasting impact
Buffalo Grove officials presented Rivas with a posthumous Citizen Award for Valor at a village board meeting in mid-June, and the Daily Herald reported his organ donations later helped several recipients. School leaders, police and elected officials have rallied around his widow Erin and their four children as memorials and fundraisers have continued to bring in support.
Organizers say the evening is meant to be both a celebration of Rivas' life and a practical effort to ease the family's expenses. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tuesday and the buffet runs until 7 p.m. For those planning to attend, organizers expect a large crowd and staggered seating for auction check-in, and ask that attendees follow venue directions on arrival.
