event include, from left, Tom Tomaszewski, Homewood
Police Officer Blake Werner, Henry Werner, Elaine
Werner, Kailen Davis and Homewood Events Manager
Allisa Opyd, Alli and Matt Boerema, HPD Deputy
Chief Denise McGrath, Homewood Marketing
Coordinator Anna Devries and HPD Officer
David Lux. (Photo by Eric Crump/HF Chronicle)
Police department support for Special Olympics is a long-standing tradition, according to Homewood Deputy Police Chief Denise McGrath, who’s been an organizer of fundraising and awareness events for more than two decades.
But Tuesday’s Butter Burgers and Badges event at Culver’s was the first, she said.
More than 40 Culver’s restaurants in the area participated, including the one on 183rd Street in Homewood.
David Lux takes an order
from Culver’s staff member
Elizabeth Kuznieski during
the Butter Burgers & Badges
fundraiser for the Special
Olympics. (Photo by Eric
Crump/HF Chronicle)
From 5 to 9 p.m. Special Olympics athletes were on hand as Homewood officers David Lux and Blake Werner served meals and got “tips” that were donations to the Special Olympics. Culver’s donated a portion of the proceeds from frozen custard treats, Concrete Mixers.
McGrath, Homewood Events Manager Allisa Opyd and village Marketing Coordinator Anna Devries were there to raise awareness and sell T-Shirts, caps and other collectibles. McGrath said anyone who wasn’t able to make it to the event but would like to support the cause by purchasing items can contact her at Homewood Police Department, 708-206-3420.
In addition to the new event, police support the event with Cop on a Roof in May, a fundraiser in conjunction with Dunkin’ Donuts. And in June officers participate in the torch run, taking a 3.3-mile leg in the run.