The Chicago Police Foundation Hosts Triumphant True Blue Fundraiser
It brings me an incredible sense of comfort knowing our beautiful city is protected by Chicago’s finest. That feeling has recently intensified with the introduction of an organization near and dear to my heart, the Chicago Police Foundation.
The Chicago Police Foundation is focused on helping improve the safety of our city’s residents by reinforcing and funding strategies that augment resources, equipment, and training available for our city’s hard-working, life-saving, and heroic police officers. Executive Director Mary Ann Rose says, “The foundation’s Board of Directors will lead efforts to raise additional funds to help the police department secure the best resources needed to serve and protect the citizens of our city, and also to foster stronger relationships between the police and the communities they serve.” I’m truly in awe of their efforts.
On November 7, the first annual True Blue Event was held at Chicago Police Headquarters in an effort to help raise funds to support the mission of the new Chicago Police Foundation. The event featured a special presentation by the Department’s SWAT Team, as well as their Canine, Equestrian, and Marine Units. Needless to say, it was a smashing success and was sold out due to the zealous work of their exceptional board of directors and Chairman of the Board, John Robak.
More than 300 guests were in attendance at the inaugural fundraiser, including Superintendent Garry McCarthy who said, “The support and funding provided through the Chicago Police Foundation will help us obtain additional equipment and other resources needed to effectively deal with the technological, social and economic changes that influence policing in Chicago today.” This is definitely an important factor in assuring our city’s safety and another reason to help support the organization’s extraordinary efforts.
Chicago’s police department was established in 1835, two years before Chicago was even incorporated. Its mission, “as part of, and empowered by, the community, is committed to protect the lives, property, and rights of all people, to maintain order, and to enforce the law impartially.” What better way to sustain these efforts than through an organization like the Chicago Police Foundation!
Chicago Police Foundation’s board of directors is formed by John C. Robak, Chairman; Thaddeus Wong, Vice Chairman; Mary Ann Rose, Executive Director; Justine Fedak, Secretary; Thomas Anderson, Treasurer; and Robert Arthur, Jorge V. Cazares, Tony DiPaolo, Richard Gamble, Jeffrey Hecktman, Camille Julmy, Averill Leviton, Bob Loquercio, Mike Meagher, Stan Nitzberg, Richard Price, James Reynolds, Jr., and Richard Simon.
