Cheers for Heroes honors Gurnee firefighters, police

When Jessica Schwartz decided to compete for Junior Miss Gurnee, she wanted to set herself apart from her competitors and do something that made a difference.

The 13-year-old decided to focus on recognizing local police and firefighters for the work they do.

Now the reigning Junior Miss Gurnee, Schwartz is running a program she calls Cheers for Heroes. Each month, she plans an activity to thank Gurnee's police and fire personnel and recognize their public service.

Gurnee Fire Chief Fred Friedl said while paramedics and firefighters do not work for the recognition, the department appreciates that Schwartz shows respect and understanding for what they do.

“This young lady, by recognizing police and fire personnel, shows the respect to the men and women who serve, he said.

Schwartz said she has volunteered all her life, spending time with seniors at a senior citizen center and assisting children with disabilities in an equine therapy program.

“You want to show them you care, she said. “It's the right thing to do. It makes me feel good about myself. I give so much, and you don't have to get anything in return.

But Schwartz has not done the work by herself. Her idea has attracted help from Little Miss Gurnee Melissa Kreppein and Miss Gurnee Danielle Andrews.

“The fire and police departments can be underappreciated. Jessica recognized that and is doing something to show we care, Andrews said.

Last month, the girls baked treats and brought them to the fire and police stations. And earlier this month, some more friends joined them to prepare dinner, including lasagna, salad and bread, and brought the meals to the stations.

Schwartz said she has never started a service project on her own and is thrilled to see friends compliment her idea and want to help.

“We worked really hard to make the meal, and they work really hard to keep our city safe, said Diya Verma, one of Schwartz's friends who helped with the meal project. “It is so awesome to see their happy reactions. I definitely would want to do it again because they do so much for us.

Gurnee Police Cmdr. Jay Patrick said the treats the teens delivered were well-received.

“There was no sign of it at all when I got here on Monday, Patrick said.

He said it is nice to receive positive feedback, but more heartening to see youth recognize them.

“It is nice to see young people out there who appreciate public service, and I hope they will one day want to go into public service, he said.

Schwartz plans to do something for the village's police and fire personnel once a month, but she also hopes the idea can spread to other communities.

“I want to show everybody how really easy it is to do something nice for someone and how good you feel once you've done that, she said.