Downers Police, Firefighters Serve Community in Many Ways

It’s an impressive phenomenon. Even when they’re out of uniform, they are committed to helping the community. 

Downers Grove police officers are members of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 73, and paramedic/firefighters belong to Firefighters Local 3234. In addition to their regular union activities, these men and women undertake significant charitable endeavors.

“People only come in contact with the police and fire departments if they’re victims of crimes, have a fire, or something like that,” said James Edwards, Downers Grove police officer and member of FOP Lodge 73.  “Our FOP has always been in the charity donation business. We try to give money to charities.  It puts a positive spin on the police.”

FOP Lodge 73 regularly sends monetary donations to families of fallen officers across the country. Furthermore, when they learn of a police officer anywhere needing financial assistance because of illness or injury or a family emergency, they will send financial contributions. They have supported Downers Grove Heritage Fest, the West Suburban Humane Society, various softball teams, and more. This past year, FOP Lodge 73 held a fundraising event for St. Baldrick’s, raising more than $8000 for pediatric cancer research. The FOP Lodge 73 2011 campaign which raises money through a marketing company, will support various youth initiatives in the village. President of FOP Lodge 73 Andrew Blaylock said that when area not-for-profits contact them, they will typically make a donation.  .

The Downers Grove Professional Firefighters Association Firefighters Local 3234 traditionally holds the Fill the Boot event in which paramedics/firefighters collect money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Last year was their inaugural pink T-shirt fundraiser in which they wore and sold pink T-shirts in support of breast cancer programs. This is an initiative that they will be repeating this fall. Firefighters Local 3234 also supports other causes as they learn of a need. 

“There’s a firefighter in Tinley Park who has a daughter with Down syndrome and related medical issues.  It is financially breaking the family. Their insurance is tapped out; they’re facing losing their home. We have written them a check just to help them over the hump,” said firefighter Michael Collins of the Firefighters Local 3234.

Next week the two organizations will join their formidable forces as they hold their annual charity golf outing. The event will raise funds for and for Turning Pointe Autism Foundation. Noah’s Hope is a much beloved not-for-profit in Downers Grove. Noah VanHoutan and his sister Laine both suffer from a rare genetic disorder called Batten disease.  Turning Pointe, located in Naperville, provides a variety of comprehensive services to families impacted by autism.

For many years the golf outing fundraiser was sponsored by Firefighters Local 3234, raising money for burn camps. 

“We realized though that maybe we should do something closer to home.  Several children of people in the fire department are autistic, so we decided to support related organizations,” said Collins who is a co-chairman of the event with Edwards. “Jimmy Edwards of the police department and I decided to pool our efforts. Both departments are about 80 people strong each, so we thought if we put them together, we could make the outing bigger and better.” 

This year, event coordinators decided to include Noah’s Hope.    

“Noah’s Hope hits close to home. We know the families, and we’ve treated the children when they have an issue.  They’re going through a rough time and this is a way that we can help,” he said.

The golf outing is a popular event, selling out quickly each year. It traditionally draws not only people from the fire and police departments, but also residents of the community. Edwards said that to date, a total of approximately $50,000 has been raised and donated to charity as a result of the combined police/fire event. 

“We do our best to make some good money,” he said.

Benevolence is just a part of the nature of the police and fire personnel of Downers Grove.

“We want to give back a little bit to the people who give to us. We have the support of our town. If we can give back by having a good day of golf, how hard is that to do? It’s a great time. It’s fun to raise money and fun to hand over a check," Collins said.

The 2011 Charity Golf Outing will be held Aug. 11 at Woodbine Golf Course in Homer Glen. Reservations are still available for dinner and cocktails. Financial contributions as well as donations of goods and services for the auction and raffle will be gratefully accepted.  For further information visit http://www.golfdigestplanner.com/19092-DownersGroveFirefightersandPolic/