Annual fundraiser honoring life of Declan Sullivan continues with ‘No Ordinary Evening’

CHICAGO (WGN) — Nearly 15 years after a Notre Dame student from northwest suburban Long Drove died in an accident while videotaping football practice, an annual fundraiser in his honor endures.

Declan Sullivan, 20, died in October 2010 when the 40-foot scissor lift he was standing on blew over amid 50-mile-an-hour wind gusts while he was filming football practice. In his honor, surviving family members created a charity event in Declan’s name to help disadvantaged children.

The 14th annual No Ordinary Evening benefits Chicago nonprofit Horizons for Youth, which helps children from low-resource neighborhoods recognize and achieve their full potential. The proceeds raised at No Ordinary Evening recognize Declan’s Class, which celebrates the graduating high school seniors of Horizons for Youth.

Mac Sullivan, Declan’s brother, joined WGN’s Evening News at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, to discuss how he and his family turned their grief into good.

“He was a very creative soul,” Sullivan said about his brother. “Obviously, it was a very terrible tragedy. It was very difficult for myself and my family and all those who loved [Declan], but in such a terrible situation, we found a lot of positives, through the amazing support and generosity that blew us away…that turned into us asking for donations in lieu of flowers and then lo and behold, we have a memorial fund set up in [Declan’s] honor within a few months and then a fundraiser in honor of him on a yearly basis a year later.”

Mac Sullivan said the annual fundraisers have amassed more than $9 million for Horizons for Youth.

“It’s a great night of live music, dancing, good food, good fun, so we’re happy to get anyone interested in celebrating Declain’s life with us,” Mac Sullivan told WGN Evening News anchors Ben Bradley and Lourdes Duarte.

Tickets remain available through the end of Wednesday, April 23.

Watch the entire interview in the video player above.