Page 33 - December 2015

Officer James Mitidiero
Nourishing first responders
Following the Sept. 11 attacks I got involved with a group that I was involved with prior to joining the CPD. This group, the 5-11 Club of Chicago, provided a canteen truck at major fire incidents. While at a SWAT job, then- First Deputy Dana Starks asked how the canteen could be requested for CPD members. I told him, “Just ask.”
The canteen came out and has been responding to CPD incidents since then.
The 5-11 Club, a recognized 501(c)(3) charity, now oper- ates two support service canteens and a rehab/supply van that provides refreshments for Chicago’s first responders. The vehicles are kept in Chicago firehouses – one at 3401 North Elston Avenue and the second canteen and van at 12701 South Doty Avenue.
Volunteer members respond to the firehouses when requests for support are received, and arrive on scene with coffee, hot chocolate, Gatorade, bottled water and snacks. In the event of lengthy operations, the club has access to additional food and beverages. All items are provided free- of-charge thanks to donations from many individuals and businesses, including FOP Lodge 7 and the Police Chap- lain’sMinistry. Members,whoallvolunteertheirtime,also pay annual dues to support the club’s mission.
The club also supports technical rescue operations and other CFD incidents including SWAT incidents, major crime scenes and lengthy dive operations. Sadly, we have also responded to many wakes and funerals for first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Since 2010, our units have averaged 80 runs a year. Some calls last many hours and involve both canteens, such as a SWAT job in Englewood when two officers were shot and both rigs responded to separate locations.
Additional information about the 5-11 Club can be found on its website: www.5-11clubchicago.org. Volunteers and donations are always welcome.
Santa and members of
the Orland Park Law
Enforcement Organization
will deliver holiday cheer
during a visit to Blair Early
Childhood Center, a
Chicago Public School for
developmentally disabled
children, when toys and gifts
collected during OPLEO’s
annual drive will be distrib-
uted. Joining the fun will be
members of the Knights of
Columbus, St. Michael
Patron of Police, Lodge 7,
Chicago Police Federal
Credit Union, the Italian
American Police Association and many others. Getting some of the gifts ready are, from left: Dan McInerney; OPLEO President Don Ade; Maury McNulty and Jim O’Leary, all retired CPD, and members of OPLEO, Knights of Columbus and St. Michael Patron of Police.
Lodge 7 members
Spreading holiday cheer
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ DECEMBER 2015 33