Twenty-two businesses in Champaign and Urbana participated in the second annual Downtown Throwdown on Saturday, donating a percentage of their sales to the American Cancer Society.
The event is part of the Coaches vs. Cancer campaign, a national program and fundraiser to help raise money and awareness for cancer.
“It is a chance for businesses in the community to get more involved with Coaches vs. Cancer,” said event planner Jill Guth, director of JSM Development and chair of the Champaign Center Partnership.
Guth has participated in the planning of the event both years of its existence. She was one of the people who came up with the idea as a way to do an event that will bring the downtown districts of Urbana, Champaign and Campustown together.
Last year, the event raised about $6,800 locally, said Jennifer Callahan of the American Cancer Society. She added that she is hoping to hit the $9,000 to $10,000 mark this year.
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“It is such a passionate cause that took off very well in the community,” said Katie Hansen, director of marketing at the Urbana Businesses Association.
The Urbana Business Association and Champaign Downtown Association also aided in the planning of the event. Because large crowds were expected with Saturday’s basketball game against Ohio State, the planning committee picked the same date for the Downtown Throwdown.
One of the biggest supporters of this event is University head basketball coach Bruce Weber. He is a part of the Coaches vs. Cancer council and has participated in numerous events and fundraisers to raise money for cancer.
“Coach Weber is the backbone of the event. It wouldn’t be such a big event without him, and he’s just been great,” Callahan said.
Participating businesses from Urbana included Das Cafe, Merry-Ann’s Diner and Rosati’s Pizza. Businesses involved on campus included Follett’s Bookstore, JSM Apartments, Murphy’s Pub and Noodles & Company. The businesses in downtown Champaign include Carmon’s Restaurant, Joseph Kuhn and Co. and Jane Addams Bookshop.
“The businesses here have been fantastic and have really embraced the event both years,” Callahan said.
