First Look For Charity to kick off Chicago Auto Show

New cars will be in the spotlight beginning this weekend at Chicago's McCormick Place as the Chicago Auto Show rolls into town. And the annual First Look for Charity will kick off all the fun this week.

First Look for Charity will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. Feb. 9 at McCormick Place in Chicago. There will be 18 charities that will benefit from proceeds from the fundraiser. The Chicago Auto Show will be held Feb. 10 to 19.

"It's always a nice event," said Jennifer Morand, general manager of The Chicago Auto Show, about First Look for Charity. "We expect at least 8,000 attendees."

Morand said the event has been in existence for 32 years.

The event, she said, is the "first chance people have to see The Chicago Auto Show before it opens to the general public."

Morand said it's always an elegant night and a good chance for people to get out to have some fun while also seeing the latest autos and donating to charity as well.

This year 18 local charities will be in the spotlight.

Morand said the show features involvement from auto dealers from Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

"First Look for Charity is one of the premiere fundraising events in Chicago," Morand said.

During the charity event, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy food from local Windy City restaurants. Among restaurants featured will be Biteable Baked Goods, Andy's Frozen Custard, Beyond Catering, Carnivale,  Catered By Design, Eris Cider House & Brewery, Norman's Bistro, Tuco & Blondie, Smoke Daddy and more.

The charities in the spotlight at the event will be 100 Club of Illinois, Advocate Health Care, ALS United Greater Chicago, Ann & Robert Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Bloomington-Normal YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, Cal's Angels, Catholic Charities of The Diocese of Joliet, Franciscan Community Benefit Services, Glenwood Academy, Habitat for Humanity, Jesse White Tumbling Team, Lydia Home & Safe Families for Children, Misericordia, Sertoma Star Services, Special Olympics Illinois, Susan G. Komen Chicago and Turning Pointe Autism Foundation.

On the entertainment roster will be 7th Heaven, The Instinct and Michael Lynch Band.

There will also be a vehicle giveaway at this year's charity event.

For more information on First Look for Charity, visit chicagoautoshow.com.