Cook Co. deputies hold fundraisers to help family

Jeanne Raines and her sister Kathy Perry never met fellow Cook County Sheriff's Deputy Robert Hansen. Neither had their chief, Ralph DeBartolo.

But that hasn't stopped them from extending a helping hand to Hansen's family following his death earlier this year.

In recent weeks Raines, Perry and Sgt. Gina Santoro, all deputies at the Rolling Meadows courthouse, organized a bake sale and a pizza party to raise money for Hansen's children - boys ages 15 and 12 and a 9-year-old girl. The children lost their mother Patricia in a 2007 car accident that seriously injured the 9-year-old.

The loss of their father, who took his own life less than a year after their mother's death, prompted an outpouring of concern from Cook County Sheriff's deputies.

"He was one of ours," said DeBartolo, chief of the third municipal district in Rolling Meadows. "I might not have known him, but we're all brothers and sisters in law enforcement."

The deputies have planned their next fundraiser from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12 at Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park. In addition to refreshments and a raffle, the fundraiser includes a silent auction. Items for bid include a Chicago Bears jersey signed by Brian Urlacher and a signed Chicago Blackhawks jersey. There's a $25 donation. Donations can also be made to the Robert & Patricia Hansen Children in care of Founders Bank, 3052 W. 111th St., Chicago.