Page 42 - October Newsletter

Breaking Good
Lodge 7 support of new Easterseals facility will lead to ‘Building a Healthier Tomorrow’
From left, Maurice from Easterseals, Lodge 7 President Kevin Graham, Chicago Police O cer Angel Collazo, Illinois FOP National Trustee and FOP National Easterseals Chair Rocky Nowaczyk and Easterseals President Timothy at the groundbreaking for Build- ing a Healthier Tomorrow.
n BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
n PHOTOS BY JAMES PINTO
Police presence at West 13th Street in 012 was palpable on this appropriately sunny, warm fall Wednesday. Lodge 7 Presi- dent Kevin Graham, Immediate Past President Dean Angelo Sr. and Illinois FOP National Trustee Rocky Nowaczyk had come for this groundbreaking moment. Officer Angel Collazo from 015 joined them.
They had come to be part of “Building a Healthier Tomorrow,” an Easterseals initiative to build a fitness, wellness and recre- ation center for the 130 students with disabilities at its Terrance J. Hancock campus. Inspiration to back Easterseals has flowed through the FOP for more than 40 years, but on the morning of Sept. 27, a renewed sense of purpose burst like a supernova.
To conclude a cavalcade of dignitaries speaking at the groundbreaking for the new Easterseals rec center, which will
42 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ OCTOBER 2017
also be available to the community in the city’s medical district on the near west side, Maurice stepped up to the podium. He proceeded to read a letter from his friend who had become one of the most prominent supporters of this project:
Dear Easterseals academy,
From the moment I learned of your work with kids, I fell in love with the idea and mission. When I was little, it was my dream to play baseball at the Major League level. Just as the White Sox made that dream possible for me, it is my passionate goal to carry that dream forward by creating opportunities for kids with special needs to live, learn and play. I’m very thank- ful to have your support from your staff as the Abreu Amigos Program aims to make a difference in your students’ lives.
The program is only a piece of the puzzle at Easterseals as the dream of building a fitness, wellness and recreation center is the credible next step.
While I am unable to attend the groundbreaking ceremony