The Chicago Fire Department and the Chicago Police Department will swing for the fences at the 20th Annual Charity Baseball Game hosted by Illinois Sports Facilities Authority at Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday, July 16. Every year, the game brings together the city’s Bravest and Finest to benefit the CFD Gold Badge Society and the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation which provide aid to families who have endured the loss of a loved one serving in the line of duty.
“For the last two decades, this game has created the opportunity to grow the initiatives established by the Gold Badge Society and Police Memorial Foundation to help alleviate some of the emotional and financial burdens that impact families when they lose a loved one while serving on the line of duty,” says Lieutenant Anthony Budvaitis of the Chicago Fire Department and captain of the Chicago Bravest Baseball Team. “It is an honor for every player on the Finest and Bravest teams to bring our communities together and show support for every family in Chicago that has given the greatest sacrifice.”
Programs through the CFD Golden Badge Society and Chicago Police Memorial Foundation directly benefit families of lost officers through programs including family advocacy and outreach; education assistance and scholarships; and mental and physical health assistance.
Tickets are available online for $5 at the Chicago Fire Gold Badge Society or Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. Day-of tickets will be available for purchase at tables near the gate for $10. Guaranteed Rate Field is located at 333 West 35th Street, Chicago. All proceeds from ticket sales directly benefit the organization from which they are purchased.
Guaranteed Rate Field will open at 5:00pm and the pregame ceremony will begin at 6:15pm featuring a tribute to honor Chicago’s fallen police officers, firefighters and paramedics lost in the line of duty. First pitch is at 7:00pm. Attendees of the game will enjoy access to Major League Baseball ballpark Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, including concessions and the opportunity to purchase team merchandise from the Police Memorial Foundation and Gold Badge Society. Free parking is available in Lot B.
For more information about the 20th Anniversary Charity Baseball Game visit https://www.cpdmemorial.org/ and http://cfdgoldbadgesociety.org/.
ABOUT THE CHICAGO POLICE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to honoring the lives of fallen heroes. The Foundation provides support and assistance to the families of Chicago police officers who are killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty. Established in 2004, the Foundation strengthens the relationship between the Chicago Police, its business and civic leaders and its citizenry to express gratitude to the fallen officers’ families for the ultimate sacrifice of their loved one. For more information, visit https://www.cpdmemorial.org/.
ABOUT THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT GOLD BADGE SOCIETY OF CHICAGO
The Chicago Fire Department Gold Badge Society was founded February 17, 1991. Membership is comprised of the widowed and families of firefighters and paramedics who have made the ultimate sacrifice: losing their lives in the line of duty. The Gold Badge Society offers support and comfort to any and all who might benefit from experiences, especially any future duty-death families. For more information, visit http://cfdgoldbadgesociety.org/.
