Page 46 - November2018

Chicago Police Founda- tion Chair John Robak asks for support to appreciate the courage of Chicago Police Officers after Executive Director Mary Ann Rose (bottom right) welcomes guests to the Fourth Annual True Blue Event.
Out of the Blue
Chicago Police Foundation annual gala raises awareness, funds and the spirits of Chicago Police Officers
■ BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
■ PHOTOS BY JAMES PINTO
True Blue engulfed the grand ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel on the night of Nov. 3 with every call from Vincent Zaf- farano, dedicated auctioneer to the Chicago Police and Chica- go Police Foundation (CPF). Cubs tickets, Blackhawks tickets, tickets to Michelle Obama’s book signing at the United Center, a one-of-a-kind work from world famous photographer David Yarrow and other collector’s items went up for bid one by one, and the 750-plus patrons in the room dug deep into their pock- ets to ante up support for the safety, training, equipment and mental well-being of Chicago Police Officers.
Within 30 minutes, the Chicago Police Foundation’s Fourth Annual True Blue Event generated more than $100,000 in sup- port for the Department. As CPF Chair John Robak urged to “Let their courage and their sacrifice inspire you,” it truly did. Following the inspiration of the event and the mission of the foundation that the safety of the City’s neighborhoods is a civic responsibility everybody shares, the event generated, among other startling benefits, enough support to provide more than 500 new LEMART kits that officers have been using to save lives.
Such True Blue sacrifice in turn inspired the police.
“It’s amazing to know that there are people out there who actually support the police,” exclaimed Officer Chris Papaio- annou, who has been on 20 years and attended with his wife, Camilla, a stalwart member of the business community that is the foundation of the Chicago Police Foundation.
“The media displays a lot of anger and outrage toward the police,” Chris continued. “But to know that there are actually people like this backing us up, who want us to do better, who want us to help people – and support us financially – it’s a great feeling.”
Rhapsody in Blue
It was a feel-good evening augmented by the blue hue em- anating from overhead lights set up to cast a special spotlight on this night. Chicago Police Chaplains Father Dan Brandt and Rabbi Moshe Wolf stepped into the spotlight to give an invoca- tion that featured their renowned banter, with Father Dan of- fering a message from the Book of Micah, Chapter 6 in the Old Testament to capture the spirit of True Blue and the fortitude backing the blue:
“You have been told what is good, what the Lord requires of you – to do what is right, to love goodness and walk humbly with your God,” Father Dan began. “Chicago Police Officers
CONTINUED ON PAGE 46
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ NOVEMBER 2018 45
Community expresses its thanks to
Chicago Police Officers
Page 49