"I Can't Believe They Wendt There": A Roast of actor / comedian George Wendt, most famously known for his role of bar-hugging, beer-guzzling Norm on television sitcom Cheers, was proudly held at Second City Chicago on Saturday, September 9, 2017. Proudly sponsored by Magellan Corporation, the star-studded evening benefited Gilda’s Club Chicago and The Second City Alumni Fund.

Roastmaster comedian Jason Sudeikis, along with roasters Bob Odenkirk, Betty Thomas, David Koechner, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Joel Murray, David Rasche, Tim Kazurinsky, Chris Rock, Robert Smigel, Julia Sweeny, Keegan-Michael Key, Jeff Tweedy and more, offered blistering and hilarious send-ups of George Wendt – all in the spirit of love, we’re promised! – and provided an evening of spectacular entertainment.

The event raised a whopping $200,000+ for Gilda’s Club and the Alumni Fund. Gilda's Club offers "free cancer support for the whole family, the whole time;" Magellan is a longtime partner of this extraordinary organization, and SVP of Sales at Magellan, Heather Morris, serves on their Board.

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Dr. Shane Larson, Research Associate Professor of Physics at Northwestern University and astronomer at the Adler Planetarium, visited Magellan on August 9, 2017 and conducted a lunch and learn program about the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse for employees and guests of Magellan, including members of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky basketball team.

The Great American Eclipse occurred just weeks later on August 21, 2017. Those along the narrow "path of totality" were able to witness one of nature's greatest phenomena, when our planet passes between the sun and moon, and its shadow blocks out the full moon.

The eclipse was spanned the contiguous United States from the Pacific to the Atlantic Coasts. It was also visible as a partial solar eclipse from as far north as Nunavut in northern Canada to as far south as northern South America.

Our staff and guests greatly enjoyed the presentation by Dr. Larson; another successful Lunch & Learn!

The 10th Annual Blackhawks Convention, proudly sponsored by Magellan Corporation for the 5th consecutive year, was held July 21-23, 2017 at the Hilton Chicago.

Illustrating the commitment of the Blackhawks' mega-fans, the convention is a sold out event each year, drawing a whopping 10,000 guests from across the country.

The thousands of attendees are eager to meet their on-ice heroes, as well as team coaches and executives. Q&A panel discussions on all things hockey are offered throughout the weekend, as are opportunities for fans to have their Hawks swag autographed, participate in clinics, play interactive games and much more. It is a dream come true for many who make this weekend an annual event.

Guests of Magellan Corporation didn't have to contend with crowds, but instead were treated to a private banquet with Blackhawks players, coaches, alumni and staff. During this once in a lifetime opportunity, guests were able to mingle with the players, take pictures and get autographs in a more intimate setting.

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Chuck Swirsky, radio sports show host and beloved play-by-play voice of the Chicago Bulls, visited Magellan on July 19, 2017.

Employees and guests enjoyed a great Lunch & Learn with Chuck, a familiar face to the Magellan team, as he shared anecdotes about his distinguished career, and the importance of leadership and team building. Chuck's association with Chicago sports started in 1979 with his WCFL AM 1000 talk show. He was named the Chicago Bulls public address announcer and served in that capacity from 1980 - 1983. He joined WGN radio in 1981. He has hosted various sports talk shows and called play-by-play, and has worked occasionally in television.

On September 7, 2016, just a year before his visit to Magellan, Swirsky was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame.

Proudly sponsored by Magellan Corporation, The Old Town School of Folk Music, 2017 Blue Jean Gala was held on June 23, 2017 featuring a wonderful performance by Los Lobos.

Before the concert, guests of Magellan enjoyed live music from OTSFM teaching artists and dined at many of the Zagat-rated restaurants around Lincoln Square. After the concert, guests met the band. Los Lobos is an American rock band from LA, whose music is an eclectic fusion of rock and roll, Tex-Mex, zydeco, country, folk, R&B, and blues. They shot to international stardom in 1987 with their hit cover of Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba," which topped the charts in the US. In 2015, they were nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The Old Town School of Folk Music is a revered Chicago institution since 1957, teaching and celebrating music and cultural expressions rooted in the traditions of diverse American and global communities.

Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event that raises critical awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Last year, a group of 920 enthusiastic North Shore residents marched along Gallery Park in the hope of finding a cure.

One of those residents was Karen Weiss, whose family has been impacted by Alzheimer’s disease.

Karen is married to Magellan Executive Vice President Keith Weiss. Her inspiration to work on the Walk came from her loving father, who passed away in 2014 after suffering from Alzheimer's. She turned her grief into action on in 2015 founded the North Shore Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Magellan proudly supports the admirable efforts of the Weiss family.

On June 17, 2017, Chicago White Sox Charities hosted the Field of Greens golf outing at Harborside International Golf Course in Chicago. Magellan Corporation employees and guests golfed alongside players and alum including Paul Konerko, Carlton Fisk, Bo Jackson and Harold Baines.

Some of the notables who attended the event, in addition to above, were Sox alumni Bo Jackson and Ron Kittle; broadcasters Ed Farmer, Hawk Harrelson, Darrin Jackson and Steve Stone; and Sox coaches Daryl Boston, Joe McEwing and Mark Parent. The event included a raffle, auction, a great day of duffing and food and drink. Proceeds benefited pediatric cancer treatment and research programs at Comer Children's Hospital and Lurie Children's Hospital.

Magellan Corporation was delighted to participate both as players and, most meaningfully, sponsors. We have been proud supporters of White Sox Charities, as well as ticket holders and sponsors of the Sox. Click here to view  video.

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Magellan Corporation donated a table for 10 at the 2017 Bears Care Gala to the USO of Illinois. The USO's mission is to strengthen America’s military members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation.

The 22nd annual Gala, named "Brian's Song ... So That Others May Live to Sing", was held at Soldier Field and honored the memory of legendary Chicago Bear Brian Piccolo, who battled but succumbed to cancer.

Bears Care, through the Galas, has raised and invested more than $13.5 million for critical research and treatment programs focused on finding a cure for breast and ovarian cancer and improving therapies for those currently battling the disease.

The guests of the Gala enjoyed cocktails, dinner, and dancing among many Chicago Bear's players, coaches, and staff.

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James Marks, IT Director at Magellan Corporation, was a keynote panelist at the 2017 Technology Executives Club meeting, and joined a Customer Experience panel "CIO and Technology Leadership Strategies for Customer Experience."

Among the things James spoke of was his drive to "bring order to the data that we use to describe our endeavors. I felt in my heart that the greater the quality of the data we use to drive our decisions and our transactions, the higher we can rise in our actions and enterprises."

He spoke of Magellan IT Department's practice of removing obstacles that interfere with responding to user requirements, and the necessity for a client-focused engineering discipline. Magellan Corporation owes our success to a fantastic staff that are committed to providing excellence in all aspects of our business. And judging from James Marks' words, our IT Department is in good hands!

The 28th annual “An Evening with the Chicago Bulls” Charity Gala was held on Friday, October 21, 2016 at the Advocate Center in Chicago and included a cocktail reception, dinner, silent auction, entertainment and more.  

Among the many guests of the event were the 2016-2017 Chicago Bulls players, coaches, ambassadors and broadcasters.

The gala honored the great work of the Chicago Bulls Charities as well as the induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame of Bulls Chairman, Jerry Reinsdorf.

Also honored was Chicago Bulls community partner After School Matters, a nonprofit organization providing life-changing after-school and summer program opportunities to Chicago high school teens. The Chicago Bulls charities provide financial support to many Chicagoland nonprofit organizations focused on the education, health and wellness of Chicago’s youth, as well as violence prevention, and military support.

Magellan Corporation hosted the second annual “Smoke Out Sickle Cell” fundraiser to benefit the Charles Horn III Sickle Cell Program at LaRabida Children’s Hospital. Charles was a beloved friend to Magellan Corporation, a familiar face at company events, and husband to our own Vickie Horn, Director of Hospitality at Magellan. He is dearly missed.

The Smoke Out is a way to honor Charles and raise funds for Sickle Cell Disease in a manner that is befitting his memory -- the smoking of big fat fine cigars! The benefit took place on September 28, 2016 at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Chicago and included a three course dinner, fine cigars, a silent auction, raffle prizes and more. Among the many guests were the athletes from the WNBA Chicago Sky, members of the Chicago Luvabulls, and the Chicago Blackhawks Ice Crew.

Dollars raised supported LaRabida Children's Hospital, which has the largest pediatric sickle cell program in the Chicago area. Magellan is proud of our longstanding relationship with this extraordinary institution.

Krisztina Eleki, PhD, Executive Director of C2ST and C2ST Artist in Residence, Aaron Freeman, visited Magellan on August 10, 2016.  

C2ST is cryptic shorthand for the Chicago Council on Science and Technology, a nonprofit with a mission of enhancing the public's understanding and appreciation of science and technology, and their impact on society. Magellan is a proud supporter and friend of C2ST, and was delighted to bring some of their dynamic programming right to our offices.

Aaron is a well known Chicago writer, producer, comedian, Second City alumni, and science enthusiast. He shared his comedic take on various science topics during his visit to the office. The event was funny and informative.

Our team is our number one asset, and events like break up a work week and add dimension to life. Judging from the reactions of all in attendance, this one hit the mark just perfectly!

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