Page 54 - November 2019 FOP

Chicago rises and shines for
Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast
The aroma of fresh bacon, pancakes and maple syrup filled Brennan Hall at St. Daniel the Prophet School on Oct. 20, as members of the community, offi- cers and kids eagerly waited in line for the annual Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast.
Those who attended the event in years past, when it was hosted by Alderman Matthew O’Shea in the 19th Ward, know that this meal does far more than just fill stomachs. It also raises vital funds for the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s Get Behind the Vest campaign.
The community breakfast tradition continued this year with the support of Ward 23 Congressman Dan Lipinski and Alderman Silvana Tabares, who hosted the event.
Local businesses and donations from the community led the event to raise nearly $8,000 for the Get Behind the Vest campaign, which provides CPD officers with lifesaving bulletproof vests to keep them safe on the job. Students from St. Daniel School also chipped in to protect
officers by participating in a dress-down day that donated money to the cause.
“Fundraisers like this one are so im- portant to help us raise vital funds for Get Behind the Vest,” Bridget Schuda, a development and communications of- ficer for the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, insisted. “We want each of- ficer to have a current vest to ensure their safety.”
More than 400 law enforcement sup- porters followed their noses to the pan-
cake breakfast, where Tabares helped pile stacks of fluffy pancakes on each and every plate. In addition to making gen- erous donations, local businesses also helped supply the event with breakfast necessities such as pancake mix, sausag- es, coffee and juice.
As the room filled with community members, business owners and officers, it became clear what a difference indi- viduals can make by working together to protect those who serve Chicago.
54 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ NOVEMBER 2019