Save The Date For 'Get Behind The Vest Pancake Breakfast' 2022

CHICAGO –19th Ward Alderman Matt O’Shea’s annual Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast will be held on Sunday, Feb. 27. This year’s even will be carry-out only, from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at St. John Fisher’s Kane Hall, 10200 South Washtenaw Ave., Chicago. This year’s event will be carry-out only, with no dine-in or seating available. Now in its eighth year, Ald. O’Shea’s Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast benefits the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s (CPMF) initiative, which purchases bulletproof vests for Chicago police officers.

A to-go container is $20 per person, that guests can pack with Original Pancake House – Beverly pancakes and sausage, which is made to order by scores of volunteers. Syrup and butter will also be available. Once attendees have their container filled, they will be required to exit Kane Hall, per the city of Chicago current COVID-19 guidelines.

In addition to the Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast, a number of events will be hosted to raise additional funds for the CPMF. On Saturday, Feb. 12, WGN Radio’s Sweet Home Chicago with David Hochberg will partner with the 19th Ward for a “Vest-a-Thon” Fundraiser, to raise additional money for the cause.

O’Shea will also be working with local schools across the 19th Ward to organize student-based fundraisers to support the Get Behind The Vest cause. And, for every gallon of gas sold at Kean Gas Station, 2632 W. 111th St., between Feb. 19 – 26, 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 2021 alone, 76 Chicago Police Officers were shot or shot at, with 14 being struck by gunfire,” O’Shea said. “Our officers are facing increasing violence against them, and the need to provide up-to-date bulletproof 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, Ald. O’Shea’s Get Behind the Vest Pancake Breakfast has raised more than $300,000. Bulletproof 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.

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.