Reality TV Star Gives World Series Tickets to 97-Year-Old World War II Veteran

CHICAGO, IL — Most of the people attending Game 3 of the World Series Friday night at Wrigley Field weren’t around the last time the iconic North Side ballpark hosted the Fall Classic.

But Jim Schlegel, a World War II Navy veteran, was. He was right there on top of the action in 1945, paying $7.50 for a box seat ticket for Game 7 of the Chicago Cubs’ series against the Detroit Tigers.

Now 97, Schlegel finally gets to see the Cubs in the World Series at home once again. But it took a remarkable GoFundMe campaign and the generosity of a reality star known for giving back to the community to pull it off.

Helen Schlegel, Schlegel’s granddaughter who is an alum of Niles West High School and a Niles resident, started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $10,000 in order to get her grandfather a pair of tickets for the Cubs’ return to the Fall Classic.

“My Grandpa is 97 years old. He served in Pearl Harbor and is the BIGGEST Cubs fan I know. He had the opportunity to go see the Cubs in 1945 World Series Game 7 and still has the original ticket stubs. He has been waiting since that heartbreaking day, to see the Cubs in World Series,” Helen wrote on the "Get My Grandpa to the World Series" GoFundMe page.

The campaign already hit its goal and then some when Marcus Lemonis, the savvy entrepreneur who stars in CNBC’s "The Profit," decided to gift two front-row tickets to Schlegel.

This man is so deserving. We've connected and he's going with my two tix first row Friday. Enjoy Jim, bring us a win!!! @Cubs @fox32news https://t.co/C3LxCu5V0w
— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) October 25, 2016

Lemonis owns several properties on the North Shore. Among his business projects have been Sweet Pete’s in Lake Forest and The Simple Greek restaurant in Highland Park.

His generous gift doesn’t take away from the effort of the GoFundMe campaign, which now includes more than $12,000 in donations. Helen said all that money will be donated to the Purple Heart Foundation.

“I'm excited to have this opportunity and the momentum of the community here to share the support my Grandpa has seen with other deserving veterans,” wrote Helen.

So of course Lemonis jumped in by matching the donation.

Helen, I will making a matching donation to the Purple Heart organization to match the money you raised. Please send me the details https://t.co/0lvNUeo4G6
— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) October 26, 2016

Photo via GoFundMe