Local Police Departments Shown Care with Packages

By Eric Peterson

Members of the Manteno PD with Eric Peterson of Project Headspace & Timing & State Rep Jackie Haas with the care packages for each officer in the department.

In the aftermath of the event that took place on December 29^th, 2021 that claimed the life of Bradley Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic and seriously injured Officer Tyler Bailey, there have been a number of fundraisers throughout Kankakee County raising the much-needed funds for the families of both police officers. A local community member thought another gesture should be done to assist other members of the law enforcement community as they too, process the situation and deal with the emotions that come from losing a loved one and colleague.

Eric Peterson, President of local non-profit organization Project Headspace and Timing, had an idea based on his past. While deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, he found that care packages from his wife Ashley were excellent reminders of home; and the reasons why he put on his uniform each morning. He decided to create an initiative to make a care package for every police officer in Kankakee County. With the assistance of Manteno Police Chief Al Swinford, Peterson was able to determine the number of packages to be made, and from there he contacted both the Manteno and Kankakee County Chambers of Commerce for additional help.

The project was kept off of social media to keep it a secret from the law enforcement community, but that did not stop the initiative from receiving assistance from over 30 businesses and organizations across Kankakee County. Countless numbers of volunteers assisted in constructing, filling, and delivering over 250 care packages.

The boxes were initially assembled on Friday, January 21^st at Steam Hollow Brewing Co. in Manteno, where they then were filled with items on Saturday, January 22^nd. The items included letters and pictures from local school children, baked goods, gift cards to local restaurants and coffee shops, clothing items, small hygiene items that could be kept in their squad cars, and more.

The items were delivered on Monday, January 24^th via a box truck donated by Pacesetters in Bradley. The departments that received care packages were Bradley, Bourbonnais, Manteno, Momence, Grant Park, Herscher, St. Anne, Essex, Kankakee Community College, Kankakee City and the Kankakee County Sheriff.

The police officers were initially caught off-guard by the kind gesture, and responded with sincere gratitude and appreciation for the reminder of their importance within the community. Peterson spent a majority of the day on Monday, joined at times by Sarah Marion with the Manteno Chamber of Commerce, Angela Morrey with the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County, State Representative Jackie Haas, Bradley Trustee Angie Serafini, Superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Kankakee County Karen Smietanski, and veteran and member of Project Headspace and Timing Chris Sharp.

Peterson stressed that this project would not have been possible without the constant support and assistance from his community, who has answered his call-to-arms in the past for help with other similar initiatives. “This is one of the many reasons why I am proud to call this place home,” Peterson said, “We truly take care of  one another around here, and I hope everyone can look at this project and understand that.”