Oak Forest's Allstate Supports Police Department With $500 Check

OAK FOREST, IL — Oak Forest's Allstate Insurance gifted the Oak Forest Police Department with a $500 check that will be used to help individuals with developmental disabilities perform in events through the Illinois Special Olympics.

Susan and Carlos Semanate, owner and operators of Allstate Insurance at 15540 Cicero Avenue, Unit B, have been longtime supporters of the Oak Forest Police Department Special Olympics fundraising efforts. This year the two provided the OFPD Special Olympics dirt track race team members — Chief Jason Reid and Officer Robert LaChapelle — the award.

Susan told Patch that Allstate selected the organization themselves.

"We have been supporting the Special Olympics of Illinois for several years, since it’s an organization that provides year round training and competition to individuals with intellectual disabilities," Susan told Patch, adding that the business has customers who have children with special needs.

"We have seen the joy that sports and competitions bring into their lives, and this is a way for us to give back to our community," Susan said. "The Oak Forest Police department does a great job bringing awareness during the Special Olympics' fundraiser events, and we are always supportive of them."

Reid told Patch that the business has done a "phenomenal job" in helping the department raise money for their dirt track race cars — a program where the department takes old squad cars, stripping them down and racing them at a dirt track to raise money for Special Olympics. Reid said the department has raised over $43,000 since starting the program.

"They're huge supporters of ours, and we can't thank them enough for the efforts that they take in trying to help us raise funds for Special Olympics," Reid said. "We've been truly blessed and grateful to have such great support from our community and businesses."

The Oak Forest Police department has been involved with Special Olympics Illinois for over a decade, according to the chief.

"People love to sponsor racecars, because it's something tangible to see," Reid told Patch. "Every July, the Dirt Oval racetrack in Joliet has sponsored the race, and some of the proceeds go to help Special Olympics of Illinois. It's really a true honor for our agencies and officers be able to participate in raising these funds."