Help Raise Money For CPD Bulletproof Vests By Eating Pancakes

CHICAGO — The flapjack will be flipping at Ald. Matt O’Shea’s (19th) at the “Get Behind The Vest” Pancake Breakfast,” Sunday, Feb. 23. Pancakes will be served all morning from 8 a.m. to noon at St. John Fisher School, 10200 S. Washtenaw Ave., Chicago.

Since it’s inception 11 years ago, the alderman’s pancake breakfast has raised over $680,000 for the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s bulletproof vest initiative. Proceeds will be used to purchase new bulletproof vests for the men and women of the Chicago Police Department when the old vests become worn.

Admission to the pancake breakfast is $5 per person or $25 for families, which includes all you can eat Original Pancake House – Beverly pancakes and sausage. For the past decade the Harrigan Family, who owns Original Pancake House – Beverly, has generously donated all batter and sausage for the pancake breakfast.

“I don’t think it is surprising to anyone how difficult the job of being a police officer is, particularly in a city the size of Chicago,” O’Shea said in a news release “In 2024 alone, 62 Chicago Police officers were shot at or shot in the line of duty, including Officers Luis M. Husesca and Enrique Martinez, who were killed. When something dangerous happens, the police are our first call. It is imperative that we provide our officers with all the tools possible to ensure that they are safe and will return home to their loved ones at the end of each shift. Funds raised through the Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast, the Vest-A-Thon, and through the generosity of our sponsors and local businesses, will help to purchase new, life-saving equipment our officers need to safely do their jobs each day.”

On average, bulletproof vests need to be replaced every five years. After receiving a complimentary vest when they join the Chicago Police Department, it is the officer’s responsibility to replace their vest at an expense of at least $500. To date, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation has replaced over 13,500 vests for officers, with 1,000 more slated in 2025. Recently, CPMF has extended the Get Behind the Vest Program to supply vests to Chicago Police K9 Officers.

In addition, Friday, Feb. 21from 1 to 3 p.m., Shell Gas Station, 2632 W. 111th St., will donate .5 cents for every gallon sold to the Get Behind the Vest campaign. This will be matched by Beverly Bank & Trust and AthleteX, making the total donated .15 cents for every gallon sold. Ald. O’Shea will be onsite filling gas tanks and washing customer windshields on Friday.

Ald. O’Shea will once again join forces with WGN-AM Radio’s Home Sweet Home Chicago with David Hochberg, to host a “Vest-A-Thon” on Saturday, Feb. 22, to raise additional funds for CPMF. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., listeners to “Home Sweet Home Chicago” will have the chance to hear stories from Chicago police officers whose lives have been impacted by bulletproof vests. Donors to Vest-A-Thon” will have the opportunity to win prizes, including sky box experiences at many of Chicago’s best teams, sports paraphernalia, and much more. To donate, please visit CPD Vest or call 872-262-8378 (VEST) on the day of the broadcast.

Ald. O’Shea sits on the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Advisory Board and the Chicago Police Chaplains Ministry Board of Directors. He represents the communities of Beverly Morgan Park and Mount Greenwood, where thousands of first responders reside.