Greetings fellow Oak Lawnians! Everyone is invited to the 3rd Annual Oak Lawn Blue Ribbon Walk to honor the Oak Lawn Police and Fire Departments on Saturday. Mike Cerf is the walk organizer, as well as the person who started the inaugural walk in 2015.
Cerf said he was inspired to “start the walk three years ago when the police were getting all the negative publicity.” But when Cerf was younger, he saw firsthand how important first responders are in a critical situation.
“I grew up on Parkside and our block had two fires and I saw what first responders do,” he said.
No registration is required and there’s no cost to participate. Cerf said he’ll arrive around 10 a.m. and share bagels with other early arrivals.
“Most people show up around 11:30 and the walk starts around noon,” he said.
The walk has grown from 87 participants in 2015 to 106 in 2016.
“Last year, it was actually raining, but then the sun came out when we started the walk,” Cerf said. “We’re preparing for over a hundred people for this walk.”
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Cerf is a member of the Oak Lawn Raiders Social and Athletic Club, a not-for-profit organization that raises funds for charities and those in need within the community. A number of Raiders will be at the event to help and participate and help to make sure the event is a success.
In past years, the walk took place over the Memorial Day weekend. Cerf decided to move it to June as people tend to go away for the holiday weekend, so he’s expecting a bigger turnout.
The walk is relatively short so everybody can participate. Cerf does the walk and estimates it’s about 7 blocks. It starts at Lake Shore Park, 54th Avenue and 95th Street, and proceeds around the lake. “A fire truck leads off the walk with a couple police cars,” Cerf said.
Once the walk kicks off, the Raiders start cooking hot dogs for the walkers and bottled water will be handed out as walkers return. Pre- and post-walk family activities are planned.
“It’s a family affair. We want people to come out with signs and flags. The Katie Sullivan Band will sing the national anthem and the band may stick around to do a few songs,” Cerf said. “The VFW Color Guard will be there, the Boy Scouts will do a flag ceremony.” Cerf said all activities should wrap up around by 3 p.m. at the latest.
More information about the walk is with Cerf at [email protected] or 708-945-4628.
Here’s our celebrity announcements: Happy (belated) birthday to Molly Riberto and also to Reese Kaktis, who’s turning 3, from their Aunt Jamie, Uncle Jeff, and Jack Luke and Ellie. Happy 4th birthday to Penelope Battersby, from her parents, Fenia and Joe. Happy 13th birthday to Isabelle Cadeau, from her parents, sisters and grandparents who send their love as she becomes a teenager. Isabelle’s dad, Rob, is also celebrating his birthday. Charlie Harris’s family wish him a happy 13 birthday and wish him the best as he becomes a teen. Happy birthday to José Gomez from is family. Happy birthday to Chris Gornik, from Amanda, Lola, Jackson and their family. Happy birthday to Larry Sharon. Joe Petzel’s family wish him a happy 70th birthday. Happy 90th birthday to Del Beranek from his family. Tom and Chris Sasala congratulate their daughter, Michelle, on her graduation from Oak Lawn Community High School.
Keep your fellow Oak Lawnians informed about birthdays, special events or special “stuff” going on with your family or within the community at 708-899-9544 or [email protected].
Until next time…