By Karen Haave
It was a day to celebrate America’s police officers, so Monee did.
The Blue Line parade was just the start of 2024 Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.) in Monee on Saturday morning, an event that has taken up the banner for men and women in blue for four years. Hosted by Tracey and John Henson, L.E.A.D. supports cops and their families and raises funds for the Officer Down Memorial Page.
The event this year donated $891 for ODMP, “which goes to help downed officers’ families in their times of need, started on Day One by Officer Stephen Crescenti,” John Henson said.
Monee Police Chief Scott Koerner said his department is gratified by the support and said: “MPD cannot begin to express our appreciation for LEAD in Monee. Every year John and Tracey Henson go above and beyond in organizing this event for area first responders and their families. We are humbled by their generosity and support. They don’t get anything for doing this and ask nothing of the PD. It is purely out of the kindness of their hearts – can’t beat that.”
Henson said he was very happy with the 2024 event, “The turnout was great as usual, but there’s always room for more. Next year will be our fifth year. Stay tuned.
“As always, Officer Stephen Crescenti sets himself on a task, this time with 137 handstand push-ups in honor of those 137 law enforcement individuals who were lost in 2023, and he completes it. His daughter even contributed alongside him with her own form of push-ups.”
Henson also had high praise for his wife, who admits she prefers to stay in the background, and noted: “Tracey wears so many hats at her job, working well over 40 hours a week. On top of that, she’s a volunteer with Monee Emergency Management Agency, and this year was a recipient of the President’s Volunteer Award Silver Medal.”
“She still finds time to organize all the things she does for L.E.A.D. She baked 200 cupcakes each year for the past three years for L.E.A.D. This year, she made two extra large cakes and decorated them. That is the least of what she does. Decorations, set up, directing people where to go and what to do, keeping me out of her way and on track myself.
“I believe L.E.A.D. wouldn’t be as successful as it is if Tracey wasn’t involved. As an addition this weekend, Tracey was also the O.I.C. on duty (Officer in Charge) for E.M.A.. She just doesn’t stop. She is such a sweetheart,” he praised, “but I can’t get her to talk about what she contributes! She doesn’t talk much about things. She says I have the gift for gab and tells me to do the talking.”
In addition to Tracey, Henson voiced gratitude for the many volunteers and contributors to the event, which he emphasized is essential, because there are no public funds involved to underwrite costs.
Those he mentioned include Indian Motorcycles of Monee, Gina’s Motorsports, Animal Wellness Center of Monee, Distinguished Designs and Print, Sheepdog Firearms, Monee Liquor Depot, The Crow and Calico Tavern at Crozehead Cooperage, Frankie’s Touch of Italy restaurant, Brian’s Place, Straight Home Bar and Grill, Granny Ma’s Kitchen, Dr. Therese M. Bogs, DDS, Closet Collectibles in Crete, Law Tigers, Terrell’s Eat the Bone BBQ, LLC, Taco Bell Monee, Dunkin’ Donuts Monee, State Rep. Jackie Haas, (R-79th House District,) Will County Board Member Daniel Butler (R-District 2), and the Monee Women’s Club.
Also, RWK IT Services, AlphaGraphics of Mokena, NAPA Auto Parts – D&D Metal, E.M.A. of Monee, Dave Short Provision Labs, Monee Village Trustees Heidi Gonzales, Michael Wilson, Scott Youdris, and Chuck Rakis, Dan Mosca – State Farm Insurance, Michelle from RW Digital Marketing, Karen Haave and “The Vedette Newspaper,” and Schoop’s Hamburgers of Monee.
Volunteers working the event were Kevin Battles, Chad Simpson, Ryan Simpson, Jared Holetzky, and Alison Kiedaisch.
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