Mt. Greenwood Woman's Quilt To Be Raffled Off At CPMF Run To Remember

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation will be raffling off another one of Jean Riker’s lovingly handmade tee shirt quilts at the “Run To Remember” 5K Run/Walk on May 3. The race/walk will start and finish at Gold Star Families Memorial and Park, 1410 S. Special Olympics (formerly known as Museum Campus Drive).

Ricker, 83, has stitched together over 70 quilts made from Chicago police tee shirts from different departments and events. Families of deceased police officers often privately commission quilts from Ricker in memory of their deceased loved ones.

Proceeds from the raffle (and run) will go toward the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation's mission to support the families of officers killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty. The CPMF also raises money to replace bullet-resistant vests for Chicago police officers, who must replace vests every four or five years out of their own pocket.

>>> Stitched With Love, CPD Quilt To Be Raffled Off At Pancake Breakfast

Riker, a retired Chicago Park District lifeguard from Mt. Greenwood, fell into quilting later in life when a neighbor asked if she had ever made a T-shirt quilt. Riker’s quilt raffle is one of the highlights of Ald. Matt O’Shea’s annual “Get Behind the Vest” pancake breakfast.

“They’re different colors and different themes,” Ricker said in a previous Patch interview. “That’s what makes the quilts nice. It’s not repetition.”

Tickets to the quilt raffle are $5 each or 5 for $20, and can be purchased through April 28 at CPMF 2025 Run To Remember Quilt. The winner will be announced at the Run to Remember on May 3.

One thing Ricker could use more of are CPD tee shirts. It takes 16 shirts to make a quilt. Tee shirts can be dropped off at Mt. Greenwood Park, 3721 W. 111th St., Chicago.

ALSO: Runners and walkers can register in advance online through April 29 at CPMF Run To Remember. Advance entry fee is $50, $60 on race day. The entry fee includes a goody bag, Dri-fit T-Shirt and a financial medal.

LAST CHANCE registration is available April 23 through April 28 at 11:30 p.m., for a $5 discount off the entry fee (use promo code LAST CHANCE). Regular prices go up to $55 during packet pickup, and $60 on race day. See Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Signing Up Runners, Walkers For Run To Remember 5K

\