Page 40 - December 2021

True BlueBelievers
Chicago Police Foundation holds its annual gala
to show support and appreciation for the Department
The Chicago Police Foundation welcomed officers and members of the community at the 2021 True Blue Gala.
n BY ESTHER GONZALES
The long blue carpet welcomed hun-
dreds of officers, their family members and the greatest appreciators of the po- lice from across the City as they entered the 2021 True Blue Gala, the annual fundraiser hosted by the Chicago Police Foundation (CPF). Inside the ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel, decorations sparkling in blue hung all around, in- viting guests to a night to support, cel- ebrate and encourage Chicago Police Officers. Music from the CPD Pipes and Drums filled the air. The CPD honor guard marched in behind and presented colors on a dance floor adorned with a giant CPF logo.
The eventful evening included words of recognition and appreciation from board members and other dignitaries, including a presentation to honor John Roback, who served as CPF’s chair for its first five years, as the “Man of the Year.” The renowned silent auction and paddle auction were highlights of the evening. And before the paddle auction even be- gan, two men jumped to their feet and each donated $10,000 that will assist the foundation in its efforts to support the police. Their incredible response in- spired other guests to bid on other items, such as a ride-along with the CPD Ma-
40 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ DECEMBER 2021
rine Unit. By the end of the night, they had raised more than $400,000 for the CPF to provide equipment and support to make the job easier for the CPD.
“Every dime we raised goes right back to the police,” CPF Executive Director Mary Ann Rose observed. “To see that support, that people come and that somebody cares, is incredible.”
The foundation has been a driving force to promote support for better po- licing. The sole aim is to provide finan- cial support, equipment and resources for Chicago Police Officers. During the past year alone, the CPF has facilitated buying a new command van for the 18th District and new bridles and saddles for the mounted unit, and it continues to purchase thousands of LEMART kits to provide to officers. The foundation also hosts events, like an annual fa- ther-daughter dance, to give officers an opportunity to continue building rela- tionships with the community.
To continue the efforts, the Chicago Police Foundation has recently added more prominent business leaders in the City to its board, like Jim Kallas, a past chair of the Illinois Restaurant Associa- tion. When Kallas was asked six months ago to join the foundation board, he hap- pily responded.
“It’s important to me personally and my family that we support Chicago po- lice,” he explained.
During his transition onto the team, Kallas had the opportunity to invite sev- eral of his closest friends and business associates to join the effort to make the City safer.
“I recruited two additional board members who are friends of mine, local Chicago businessmen, who also feel the same way about supporting the police and the fire department,” he continued. “Once I mentioned it to some of my col- leagues in the industry, they, I mean, just absolutely jumped at the opportunity to help,” he declared.
Kallas recounted the evening of the True Blue Gala, stating how touching and heartwarming it was. He recalled sitting at a table with two donors, one of whom closed his restaurant for the day on Sept. 1 to help provide more than 16,000 meals to feed every police officer and firefighter in the City.
“It feels terrific, but it’s frankly not sur- prising,” Kallas remarked about all those who were there to support Chicago Po- lice Officers. “I think the public opinion sometimes gets swung by the loudest voices. But I believe that the vast major- ity, at least in Chicago, fully support our