Lake Co. Housing Authority partners with N. Chicago Fraternal Order Police in annual basketball tournament

On Saturday, August 18, the Lake County Housing Authority (LCHA) partnered with the Fraternal Order of Police of North Chicago in its 18th Annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. The event was held at the LCHA property of the Marion Jones Townhomes complex in North Chicago. The day began with a pancake breakfast and after the meal was finished, the basketball tournament kicked off.

Young attendees also were provided school supplies which were generously donated by a local community partner in contribution for the event. There was also food and activities such as a jump rope contests. Those in attendance all seemed to have a really great time. A volunteer from the Fraternal Order of Police stated that this was her fifteenth year coming out to help at the event and when asked why she does it so faithfully each year her answer was instantaneous—“it's the kids, to be able to see them enjoying themselves and interacting in such a great community event is beyond rewarding.”

Several LCHA staff came out, including LCHA Board of Commissioner Patrick Bruno, to show their support. Also present at the event was North Chicago Mayor, Leon Rockingham, Jr. along with many members of the North Chicago Police Department.

The event ran very smoothly and everyone in attendance seemed to be in very good spirits, enjoying not only the basketball but the jump rope contests and the youngest attendees could not get enough of the bouncy castles—one was a princess' dream castle, the other one was Batman themed and there was also one that looked like a train. The kids could hardly contain their joy running from castle to castle.

When asked about his attendance at the event, LCHA Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer expressed that “the opportunity to collaborate with local organizations such as the Fraternal Order of Police in North Chicago is really a unique way that together we can enhance the community. By events like this we are able to reach out to our residents and provide them with a great means to take pride in their community and to see the police officers and housing staff in a different light. We [the LCHA] are excited to have been asked to partner again with the North Chicago Police Department and hope to host even more events like this in the future.”

For more information on the Lake County Housing Authority, please visit our website at www.lakecountyha.org