Schaumburg police help needy families’ holidays

For the 21st year in a row, the Schaumburg Police Department is helping to make the holidays of a few financially struggling families in the village a happier time.

And because of the department’s success in making their fundraisers enjoyable, the cause has grown, not only in terms of money raised but in the number of other village departments wanting to get involved.

For the fifth straight year, a chili cook-off Friday became the main source of funds for the annual tradition. In the event’s early years, a bake sale and silent auction were used.

This year, the police, fire and nursing departments combined entered 25 distinct batches of chili in the competition while the entire village staff provided the tasters, judges and money.

A total of $1,900 was collected over the course of the four hours the chili was available in the police station’s community room Friday, with a few checks still expected to come in. The final tally is expected to be near last year’s total of $2,067.

For $6, village employees received a bowl and one ballot to cast for their favorite batch of chili. But to help their favorites win, they could buy additional ballots for $1 each.

Though the top three batches were identified Friday afternoon — separated by one vote each — the names of the cooks that made the winners were to be announced Monday.

All that was known for sure Friday was that second and third place belonged to members of the fire department.

“Thankfully, for the integrity of the police department, the winner was a member,” police Sgt. John Nebl joked.

In about a week, the police department will receive a list of families to help from the village’s family counseling center.

Simone Lesniak, employee information technician for the police department and one of the co-organizers of the event, said in the past, officers have helped in the selection of families whose children might have grown up with a negative view of police officers in the hope of changing that.

Last year, the money raised was able to assist four different families, said Jenny Hellmer, administrative secretary to the police chief. Generally, about $500 has been spent per family.

The families list of what they’re looking for, and the items on these lists have demonstrated how severely the weak economy has affected the village’s poorest residents, Hellmer said.

While five years ago, toys were typically all that children were looking for, in more recent years more basic necessities like new shoes and socks have been on the list.

In fact, one boy a few years ago insisted he wanted nothing but dishes for his grandmother.

Also among those who helped organize this year’s event were police department secretaries Liz Ruisz and Dawn Dalke.