Thank You, Chicago, For Generosity, Compassion, Protective Gear

CHICAGO — A Southwest Side alderman teamed up with the owners of The Original Pancake House to help raise $50,000 to feed people on the front line of the new coronavirus crisis. Magid Glove & Supply donated more than 2,500 N95 masks and 40,000 nitrile gloves to Chicago police. Brewers and distillers started producing hand sanitizer for police officers in response to the shortage.

On Friday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and interim top cop Charlie Beck thanked them and dozens of other Chicago businesses and individuals for donating everything from personal protective gear to hot meals and more.

“Chicago’s first responders have been a torchlight throughout the COVID-19 crisis, inspiring more than 100 generous individuals, schools, churches, restaurants and nonprofit organizations to help support our brave men and women who are on the front lines of this fight,” Lightfoot said. “These donations exemplify not only the character of our city and but also its residents as they respond to a crisis in unison. This is Chicago at its finest.”

Last month, the donations have bolstered the city's stock pile of protective gear including more than 100,000 masks, more than 100,000 gloves, and 50,000 hand sanitizers.

"The community has proven that even in these unprecedented times, Chicago will stand together and protect one another,” Beck said. “Small businesses, church groups, schools and many generous residents have stepped up during this outbreak. We will emerge from this pandemic together as a stronger city."

People have donated in many ways. School administrators from Ebinger Elementary School, Edgebrook Elementary School, George Washington High School and Christ the King Catholic School donated cleaning wipes and sanitizer going unused during the statewide stay-at-home order.

KOVAL Distillery turned its boozy operation into a hand sanitizer factor, pitching in 100 gallons and raised $60,000 to supplement its ongoing donations.

"This public health crisis has forced us to dramatically shift our production, our business and our lives in order to protect one another," said KOVAL co-founder Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart. "We are so fortunate to be able to assist the brave individuals on the front lines, who every day are facing new challenges, the likes of which our world has never seen. That meant shifting all our efforts from whiskey and gin to producing alcohol-based sanitizer for those who need it most."

19th Ward Ald. Matt O'Shea said so many small gestures show police officers on the front lines of the pandemic that Chicagoans appreciate the risks they are taking in a war against an invisible virus.

“From providing a free meal to donating extra supplies, the smallest gesture can mean the world to our officers during these unprecedented times. So we are letting them know that we care about them, we’re thinking about them, and we want to do everything we can to support them,” he said.

“Chicago’s communities stand together in times of difficulty, and I want to thank everyone who has donated to our cause to ensure that now more than ever, we support those who protect us.”