Page 38 - February 2018 FOP Newsletter

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our guys spend their own money to make sure we get good ice time for these charity events. Whatever comes up, we’re always out there. Anytime anyone wants to play and raise some money, we can always field a couple of teams.”
On Jan. 19, the FOP Stars faced off against the Chicago Fire Department in the latest chapter of the intra-city first respond- ers sports rivalry. With CPD’s football and baseball teams pick- ing up morale-boosting wins this past summer, Katz expressed confidence beforehand that the Stars would keep up the police momentum despite the firefighters getting the better of police on the ice in recent years. Despite Katz’s bold pre-game predic- tion of a Stars victory, they fell to CFD 4-3 in a close game.
“One more period and we would have beat them,” Katz light- heartedly said.
Despite the outcome, the game raised money for the 100 Club, as well as a three-day, 12-team police-fire tournament scheduled for April. The Stars will host the Chicago Police & Fire Invitational at the Blackhawks’ new West Side practice facility, MB Ice Arena, for a series of games expected to feature teams from across the country.
Chelsea Barras, the 100 Club’s marketing and communica- tions manager, is grateful for the organization’s relationship with the hockey team.
“We have always had excellent support from the FOP Stars – both monetarily and in other ways,” she explained. “They frequently come to our events and are always excited to host games and tournaments that benefit the 100 Club. They truly are a great group of guys, and we are thankful to be able to work with them.”
Off the ice, the Stars stay busy as a key player with the CPD
Through a partnership with the Blackhawks, members of the Chicago FOP Stars hockey team regularly visit Chicago schools to teach kids about hockey.
Enforcers at the Chaplain’s Unit holiday toy drive and through a partnership with the Blackhawks to help bring hockey to chil- dren, Katz said.
“We have guys go to schools all over the City, go to their gym classes and teach them some of the basics of hockey. People have been very responsive to us,” Katz offered. “We’re getting a lot of guys volunteering their personal time to go out and be part of these events. It’s nice; we’re getting a lot of positive com- munity interaction.”
Anyone who enjoys hockey, believes in helping charities or is a police supporter has more than enough reason to check out an upcoming game. A fun time is the minimum expectation, Katz said, especially for the guys on the ice.
“That’s what it’s really all about. Everybody has a good time,” he promised. d
38 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ FEBRUARY 2018