Clancy's Plans Benefit For Family Of CPD Officer Patsy Swank

OAK LAWN, IL — Clancy’s on 95th is organizing the first SallyFest in collaboration with Bank the Blue, benefitting the family of CPD Officer Patsy Swank. The benefit is planned from 1 p.m. until the music runs out Saturday, Sept. 24, and features all-day music, raffles, split-the-deck, a pig roast, open bar (1 to 5 p.m.) and buffet.

Swank was one of three Chicago police officers who took their own lives last month. She grew up in Oak Lawn and was a graduate of Mother McAuley High School. Swank was a six-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department. The light of her life was her young son, Scottie. Proceeds raised from the benefit will go to Swank’s family for the care of her son.

“Patsy was a St. Catherine girl,” said Clancy’s owner Kevin O’Kennedy, referring to the Oak Lawn parish where Swank grew up. “We have a close connection to her uncle. She was a single mom who left a young son.”

O’Kennedy has enlisted Bank the Blue, a Chicago non-profit organization founded in 2020 by business professionals with close ties to the law enforcement community. Bank the Blue provides funding and access for mental health services to Illinois law enforcement officers dealing with multiple psychosocial stressors both on and off the job.

“We’re asking for donations for baskets, in-kind donations, gift cards and corporate sponsored,” O’Kennedy said.

Individual and family sponsorships are available for $100 and $350, respectively. Premium sponsorship opportunities include the Star level for $1,000; Blue, $5,000; and Gold, $10,000. All sponsors will receive online and onsite recognition. Sponsorship forms are available on Bank The Blue.

Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door. Purchase tickets online, or buy them at Clancy’s Oak Lawn locations at 4624 W. 103rd St. (Jewel-anchored shopping center), and 5763 W. 95th St.

O’Kennedy has lined up eight musical acts for the benefit, including:

Jay Vanna
Mark Taylor
Tommy Joe
Shannon Baker
Pete Kraus
Amy & AJ
Bad Hand

SallyFest in remembrance and tribute to Sally Foy, a Mount Greenwood woman who raised thousands of dollars for Make-A-Wish, Wounded Warrior and other charities before succumbing to cancer in 2020.