Page 39 - February 2020 FOP Magazine

so necessary and so needed. I talk to officers on a daily basis [about how] they put their kids first, they put their family first, they put other needs before spending the money to buy a new vest.”
A bout of selflessness isn’t worth the potential end of a watch, which is why Schuda is passionate about fundraising to cover the cost of each vest.
Matt O’Shea, the 19th ward alderman, is hosting the sixth an- nual GBTV Pancake Breakfast, with proceeds going to the pro- gram. To date, the breakfast has raised about $150,000.
“We need to step up and support those who support us,” O’Shea proclaims. “This is lifesaving equipment that our offi- cers need. We’ve seen, over these last five years, that still officers right now, more than 4,000 of them, out on the street each day putting their lives on the line, are in outdated vests. Heaven for- bid something catastrophic should happen.”
But for officers like Mendoza, with five years on the job, ex-
periences speak for themselves. You don’t need to tell her that getting fitted for a free vest could save her life, because it already has.
“This program helps us so we’re not spending the money out of pocket to buy the vest,” she states, referring to the dilemma some new officers face when it comes to the initial costs of pur- chasing a uniform. “It’s just so amazing because it helps you out financially, but also ⁠— and hope you never have to experience it ⁠— it’s something that can save your life.”
The new mother is a living testament to the importance of lifesaving equipment. In fact, her daughter can be heard cry- ing in the other room as Mendoza finishes recounting her story. With a laugh, she switches to parent mode.
“I’m just so thankful for the Chicago Police Memorial Foun- dation in general,” she summarizes. “This program is just so amazing.”
And off Mendoza goes to comfort her young legacy, a girl who one day will hear the story of an incredible life and the program that helped save it.
As a Chicago Police Officer, you have to meet very high standards. So should your uniform.
Chicago Uniform has been setting the industry standard for quality law enforcement uniforms.
Base layers, outerwear, standard orders and custom uniforms.
Police departments rely on Chicago Uniform every day.
We offer tailoring and custom embroidery services with quick turnaround time.
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ FEBRUARY 2020 39