Ald. Silvana Tabares (23rd) and the Chicago Police Memorial Fund teamed up for the annual Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, Sept. 13, raising $19,500 for bulletproof vests for Chicago Police Officers.
Tabares, who represents Garfield Ridge and three neighboring communities, hosted the breakfast at St. Daniel the Prophet Parish’s Brennan Hall.
The nonprofit Chicago Police Memorial Foundation supports fallen officers’ families, funds Operation Santa, tuition assistance for children of fallen CPD officers, and Get Behind the Vest fundraisers.
“A vest isn’t bulletproof forever. It wears out. It breaks down. It needs to be replaced every five years. And just one bullet permanently damages a vest, making it unusable,” according to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation.
Additionally, CPFM explains that it’s the police officer’s responsibility to buy a new vest without factoring in other costs such as uniforms and equipment. Fundraisers ensure that officers feel protected while serving Chicagoans every day.
Garfield Ridge businesses that showed up to help include Three Sons, McDonald’s on Archer and Rutherford, Axis, Trianos, and Pticek’s Bakery. They donated money, pancake batter, and breakfast sausages.
Tabares and her volunteers, dressed in ‘support the police T-shirts, decorated the cafeteria with blue lights, blue-lined flags, and blue decor. Volunteers included 23rd Ward staffers, Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch members, and community residents.
Hundreds of community residents, parishioners, school families, and teachers stopped by for their fill of pancakes, sausages, refreshments, and pastries.
The Chicago Police Mounted Unit made a special appearance and stood outside the entrance to greet families.
Other special guests included Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara, 8th District Cmdr. Bryan Spreyne, Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th), 8th District Police Council Member Mark Hamberlin, and Angel Guiterrez, School Board of Education District Member 8A.
To contribute to the CPMF’s Get Behind the Vest and to help buy an officer a vest, go to go.cpdmemorial.org.
