'Get Behind The Vest' 2023 Pancake Breakfast Returns In Person

CHICAGO – For the first time in two years, 19th Ward Alderman Matt O’Shea’s annual Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast will be dine-in and in person, Sunday, Feb. 19. The all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to noon at St. John Fisher’s Kane Hall, 10200 South Washtenaw Ave., Chicago. Now in its ninth year, Ald. O’Shea’s Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast benefits the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s initiative, which purchases bulletproof vests for Chicago Police officers.

The morning will kick-off with a mass for police officers, their families, and supporters, at 8 a.m. at St. John Fisher Church.

Admission to the Pancake Breakfast is $5 per person or $25 for families, which includes all you can eat Original Pancake House – Beverly pancakes, and sausage.

In addition to the Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast, a number of events will be hosted to raise additional funds for the CPMF. WGN Radio’s Sweet Home Chicago with David Hochberg has again partnered with Ald. O’Shea for a “Vest-a-Thon” Fundraiser, which will air on Saturday, Feb. 18. The 2022 Vest-A-Thon raised over $200,000 for the purchase of bulletproof vests.

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. Donors to the Vest-A-Thon will have the opportunity to win incredible prizes including skybox experiences at many of Chicago’s best teams, sports paraphernalia, and much more.

To participate, tune into WGN Radio 720AM on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations will also be accepted by visiting cpdvest.com, or by calling 872-262-8378 (VEST). To volunteer, donate sports tickets, or other items to be given away throughout the Vest-a-Thon, please e-mail mattoshea@the19thward.com.

Additionally, Kean Gas Station, located at 2632 W. 111th Street, will from Feb. 12 to Feb. 18, 15- cents will be donated to the Get Behind the Vest Campaign. This effort is sponsored by Kean Gas Station, Beverly Bank & Trust, and AthleteX.

In 2014, Chicago police officers were shot at a total of eight times, and none were struck by gunfire. Compare that to 2021, where 69 officers were shot at, 10 were struck by gunfire, and one was fatally shot. In 2022, Chicago police officers were shot at 48 times, and eight struck by gunfire.

“Chicago Police officers are on the front lines every day to ensure our safety, and it is important that we do what we can to send them home safely to their families at the end of each shift,” O’Shea said. “It is imperative the Chicago Police officers have access to up-to-date bulletproof vests with the latest technology advancements, and the funds raised through the Get Behind The Vest Pancake Breakfast and Vest-A-Thon will help to provide that.”

In the past nine years, Ald. O’Shea’s Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast has raised more than $500,000. 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 vests, with an annual goal to replace 500 vests for officers 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