Bark ‘N Ball

Changing Young Readers’ Lives One Story at a Time 

Join Chicago’s most joyful dog-friendly fundraiser supporting children’s literacy — filled with music, food, community, and plenty of wagging tails.

Get Tickets

Become a Sponsor

Spacious restaurant with wooden floors and ceiling, exposed brick walls, large windows, chandeliers, and tables set for dining.

What Is Bark ‘N Ball?

A Celebration of Books, Dogs, and Big Impact

Bark ’N Ball is SitStayRead’s annual benefit — a one-of-a-kind evening bringing together animal lovers, educators, and community champions to support literacy programs for Chicago students.

Every ticket helps fund evidence-based reading programs that build confidence and curiosity in young learners across the city’s west and south side communities.

What to Expect

What Your Evening Looks Like

A night designed to inspire, connect, and celebrate!

Whether you come for the cause, the community, or the celebration – you’ll leave knowing you made a difference.

Attend Bark ‘N Ball

Cartoon illustration of a person with brown hair and a blue jacket sitting next to a gray dog wearing a red collar.

Celebrate and hear from volunteers about SitStayRead's year

Illustration of a hand reaching to pet a dog's head with a red heart above the dog, symbolizing affection or care for animals.

Special Experiences for Four-Legged Guests

Illustration of a drum set with a cymbal and a red acoustic guitar standing upright, shown on a white circular background.

Live Music & Entertainment

A glass filled with blue liquid, ice cubes, a red cherry on a stick, and an orange slice on the rim.

Delicious Food & Creative Cocktails

Two playing cards, an ace of spades and a heart card, are shown overlapping on a white circular background.

Interactive Fundraising Games & Auctions

Two illustrated portrait photos, one of a woman with short brown hair on a red background, and one of a person with brown hair on a blue background, overlapping slightly.

Photo Moments & Social Experiences

A tan dog on a red leash stands on a wooden floor among people in casual indoor attire.
Two people stand indoors by a window; one holds a small black and white dog, and the other holds a red ball.
Four musicians perform indoors; one plays drums, one a trumpet, one a double bass, and one a keyboard, with wooden decorative panels behind them.
Young students sit at desks in a classroom, writing on paper with pencils. One girl in the foreground smiles and looks upward, holding her work.

Your Night Out Helps a Child Read with Confidence

SitStayRead uses the powerful human-dog bond to help young students feel safe, engaged, and excited about reading.

In the past year alone:

  • Thousands of Chicago students and families were served

  • Thousands of new books were placed into classrooms and homes

  • Literacy confidence grew where it’s needed most

Your attendance directly fuels these life-changing programs.

Event Details

Bark ‘N Ball Fiesta

📅 Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026

🕝 Time: 6:00PM – 9:00PM

📍 Location: mHUB Chicago

An evening of celebration featuring Latin-inspired cuisine, live music, and vibrant community energy.

Reserve Your Spot

Event flyer for "Bark 'N Ball Fiesta" on May 14, 2026, from 6–9 PM at mHUB Chicago. Includes Sit Stay Read logo and decorative floral border with a dog silhouette.

Make an Impact

How You Can Be Part of the Bark ‘N Ball

Every contribution helps bring literacy programs to students who need them most. Choose the way that works best for you — attend the celebration, support as a sponsor, donate resources, or help power the event behind the scenes.

A woman in a white dress smiles while holding a brown and white dog in a spacious indoor setting with other people in the background.

Attend

Experience the celebration and support literacy.

A display table featuring informational pamphlets, branded merchandise, drinkware, and small gifts is set up in front of a decorative room divider and a large window.

Sponsor

Show your organization’s commitment to education and community impact.

White paper gift bags with handles are lined up on a table, each labeled with a different name written in marker on the front.

Donate an Item

Contribute auction items or in-kind support.

A teacher and four young students sit on chairs in a gym, holding children's books and smiling, with orange bags on their laps. Other students are seated in the background.

Support the Mission

Can’t attend? You can still help students succeed.

Be Part of the Story

Celebrate community. Meet incredible dogs. Help young readers discover confidence and joy.

Attend the Fiesta

Support SitStayRead