Page 39 - May 2020

CPMF lends a hand with gallons of hand sanitizer
n BY DAN CAMPANA
Adapting to the current need of offi- cers with the same passionate support it always offers, the Chicago Police Me- morial Foundation jumped in to deliver a key piece of “equipment” during the COVID-19 pandemic: hand sanitizer.
Over several weeks, CPMF dropped off hundreds of gallons of sanitizer to every police district in the city. Its biggest de- livery took place on April 30, when nearly 12,000 16-ounce bottles were distributed to ensure no officer went empty-handed.
“Our officers continue to head out to the streets each day while many of us are safely at home,” said CPMF Develop- ment and Communications Officer Brid- get Schuda. “[Supplying hand sanitizer] is very much like our Get Behind the Vest campaign — we want to protect our offi- cers each and every day. Hand sanitizer is one important part of their supplies right now to fight this virus.”
With no immediate access to gloves or masks to distribute, CPMF turned to the much-needed sanitizer as something that could benefit a great many officers. Their reach grew from 150 gallons dis- tributed in each of the first two weeks
during drive-up events at the Chicago Police Training Academy, followed by another 200 gallons handed out in the third week, with support from the Chica- go Bears. The fourth-week blitz of thou- sands of individual bottles ensured that every officer has his or her own personal container while at work.
“We have a few other donations in the works...that we are hoping to see distrib- uted through May,” Schuda added.
CPMF also encouraged individuals and businesses to support its COVID-as- sistance efforts through donations, while also selling on its website face coverings with the foundation’s logo and Thin Blue Line flag design.
“We work to help Chicago police fam- ilies in need. At this point, there are a lot of families who have felt the effects of COVID-19, most significantly our three families who lost an officer to this vi- rus,” Schuda explained. “We are inspired by the community showing their sup- port for all first responders and are tru- ly grateful for all that our brothers and sisters in blue do. The response has been incredible.”
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MAY 2020 39