American Red Cross Announces 2022 Evening of Stars Special Guest and Speaker
NFL Pro Bowler and America’s Got Talent Finalist, Jon Dorenbos Headlining 27th Annual Event
June 9, 2022 – The American Red Cross is excited to announce Jon Dorenbos, two-time NFL Pro Bowl
player, Walter Payton Man of the Year Award recipient and finalist on America’s Got Talent, will be the
special guest and keynote speaker at the 27th annual Evening of Stars Celebration!
The event is scheduled for Wednesday, November 9 at the Brown Ballroom on the campus of Illinois
State University in Normal. Doors open at 6 p.m. and participants will be treated to a special performance
of Dorenbos sharing his incredible life story and encouraging message via mind-blowing, world class
magic.
Tickets go on sale Monday, June 27. Call (309) 275-3515 if you are interested in a sponsorship
opportunity.
“I can’t wait to be there with you, as we celebrate a night together for a great cause,” said Dorenbos. “The
American Red Cross is an organization that puts a high priority on helping others, and I am glad to have
the opportunity to be a part of it, during Evening of Stars. I look forward to sharing my story and providing
some entertainment through magic, in the process. See you there!”
Dorenbos played 14 seasons in the NFL, making the Pro Bowl twice with the Philadelphia Eagles. He
displayed his skills as a magician while competing in America’s Got Talent, making it to the finals and
placing third out of tens of thousands of competitors. From there, Dorenbos put his talent on display as a
guest on Ellen, a platform where he would go on to release his book, Life is Magic. He describes the book
as a road map for quieting self-doubts and choosing happiness.
“We are thrilled to have Jon perform at Evening of Stars,” said Lyn Hruska, Central Illinois chapter
executive director. “His energy, positive message and excitement factor will make this a can’t-miss event
and we look forward to seeing you in Normal this fall!”
Funds raised in support of this event help the Red Cross provide critical services throughout the region,
including: disaster response, blood donation, training services and support to our military members and
their families.
Thank you to our generous sponsors who make this event possible.
About the American Red Cross of Illinois
The American Red Cross of Illinois serves 12.4 million people in 88 counties in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri
including Adams, Bond, Boone, Brown, Bureau, Carroll, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton,
Cook, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeKalb, De Witt, Douglas, DuPage, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette,
Ford, Franklin, Fulton, Green, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Jasper,
Jefferson, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Macoupin,
Marion, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Menard, Mercer, Montgomery, Morgan,
Moultrie, Ogle, Peoria, Perry, Piatt, Pike, Putnam, Richland, Rock Island, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott,
Shelby, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, Vermillion, Warren, Washington, Whiteside, Will, Williamson
Winnebago, Woodford. Iowa: Lee, Muscatine, Scott and Van Buren. Missouri: Clark, Lewis, Marion and
Ralls. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters;
supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international
humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit
organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.
For more information, please visit us at Redcross.org/Illinois or visit us on Facebook, Instagram
and Twitter
