'Get Behind the Vest' fundraiser to replace Chicago police vests offers all-you-can-eat pancakes

Sunday, February 19, 2023
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Flapjacks have been flipping Sunday morning at the Get Behind the Vest pancake breakfast fundraiser.

For the first time in two years, the west Beverly area event is in-person and sponsor 19th Ward Alderman Matt O'Shea and organizers said they hope this year will be bigger than ever.
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It kicked off at Kane Hall at St. John Fisher School on 103rd Street.

Now in its ninth year, the event raised over $500,000 for The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation to replace bullet-resistant vests for Chicago police officers. The vests need to be replaced every five years at a cost of about $600.

To date, the foundation has replaced roughly 11,000 vests with a goal to replace 500 vests every year.
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Sunday morning's event kicked off with a mass for police officers and their families at St. John Fisher Church.

The event, which runs until noon, costs $5 per person and $25 per family for all-you-can-eat pancakes from the Original Pancake House and sausage.
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