MOUNT GREENWOOD — Almost every religious celebration in Mount Greenwood will have some police officers and firefighters in attendance.
But a special service honoring first responders is planned for 10 a.m. on Sunday at Mount Greenwood Community Church. Some 300 people are expected at the event in the neighborhood that's home to a large concentration of public safety employees.
The celebration comes just ahead of a month-long series of activities planned throughout the country honoring police, firefighters, ambulance drivers and others, said Bill Crowder, pastor of the church at 3509 W. 111th St.
"It's an opportunity to say 'thank you,'" Crowder said.
The service comes on the heels of the Blue Ribbon Walk on Jan. 5. This march aimed to show pride in the Chicago Police Department in the wake of several unsettling incidents and anti-police sentiment nationwide.
The walk concluded with a ceremony at Mount Greenwood Community Church, and Crowder hopes to rekindle that same spirit with the upcoming recognition gathering.
"The more I spoke with people on the street, the more people told me about how a first responder impacted their life," said Crowder, who's in his ninth year as pastor of the church.
Bagpipe players, a classic police car and an antique fire truck will all be on hand for the service. The Mount Greenwood Chamber of Commerce is also acting as a supporter of the event.
The prayer service is expected to last about an hour. First responders are encouraged to attend in uniform. Cupcakes and doughnuts will also be available after the service, and red and blue ribbons will be distributed as well, Crowder said.
These ribbons are intended to be tied around trees and street poles throughout the neighborhood to show pride in local first responders. Crowder hopes the event brings the neighborhood together.
"Hopefully, people will stick around and share stories," Crowder said.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
