19th Ward Ald. Matt O’Shea’s annual Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast is coming back as an all-carry-out event Sun., Feb. 27, 9 to 11 a.m. Now in its 8th year, the breakfast benefits the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s (CPMF) initiative, which purchases bullet proof vests for Chicago Police officers.
To-go containers packed with Original Pancake House – Beverly pancakes and sausage, which are made to order by scores of volunteers, are $20 per person, and pick-up is at St. John Fisher Church, Kane Hall, 10200 S. Washtenaw Ave. Syrup and butter will also be available.
Once attendees have their containers filled, they will be required to exit Kane Hall, per the city of Chicago current COVID-19 guidelines. No dine-in or seating will be available.
In addition to the Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast, a number of events will raise funds for the CPMF. On Sat., Feb.12, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., tune-in to WGN Radio 720AM for Sweet Home Chicago with David Hochberg partnering with the 19th Ward for a Vest-a-Thon.
The Vest-a-Thon will feature stories of officers whose lives have been impacted by bullet proof vests, including brave officers from the Chicago Police Department who will share their perspective on the increasingly difficult work they do each day.
Organizers and volunteers of the Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast who have watched this event grow year after year, will also be featured. Vest-a-Thon donors will have the opportunity to win incredible prizes including skybox experiences at many of Chicago’s best teams, and much more. Donations will also be accepted at cpdvest.com or by calling 833-498-Vest. To volunteer or donate prizes for the Vest-a-Thon, e-mail mattoshea@the19thward.com.
Ald. O’Shea will be working with schools across the 19th Ward to organize student-based Get Behind The Vest fundraisers. For every gallon of gas sold at Kean Gas Station, 2632 W. 111th St., between Feb. 19 and 26, 15 cents will be donated to Get Behind the Vest. This effort is sponsored by Kean Gas Station, Beverly Bank & Trust, and AthleteX.
“In 2021 alone, 76 Chicago Police Officers were shot or shot at, with 14 being struck by gunfire,” said Ald. O’Shea. “Our officers are facing increasing violence against them, and the need to provide up-to-date bullet proof vests with the latest technology advancements is more important than ever. It is my hope that through the Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast, the Vest-A-Thon, and the support of our local schools and businesses, we can raise more money than ever before to ensure that our officers are protected on the streets.”
In the past eight years, the Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast has raised more than $300,000. Bullet proof vests need to be replaced every five years, at a cost of about $600 each. To date, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation has replaced more than 11,000, with a goal to replace 500 vests each year.
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.
The Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast is generously co-hosted by Saint John Fisher Parish, the Harrigan Family and the Original Pancake House-Beverly.
For more information on Alderman Matt O’Shea’s Pancake Breakfast, benefiting the Get Behind the Vest initiative, or to support this great cause, please call 773.238.8766 or visit www.the19thward.com
