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Lerner & Rowe gives back to Region law enforcement during National Police Week

Lerner & Rowe gives back to Region law enforcement during National Police Week

Lerner & Rowe Injury Attorneys honored National Police Week by delivering hot, catered meals to police departments across Northwest Indiana and Chicago, offering a gesture of gratitude to the men and women in uniform. The initiative, which included a Thursday, May 15 visit to the Crown Point Police Department, also reached departments in Merrillville, Hobart, Valpo, Portage, the Indiana State Police, and several other communities.

The annual effort, organized by the firm’s nonprofit foundation, Lerner & Rowe Gives Back, began four years ago as a single-day event. It has since expanded into a week-long campaign, with meals delivered daily to seven police departments throughout the Region and Chicago.

“We’re committed to serving our communities and the children and families that are struggling and in need within it, and our local police officers have that same commitment,” said Arianna Baiz, outreach director for Lerner & Rowe. “They’re serving the families in our communities, and every time they put on the badge they’re doing the hard work that not a lot of people are willing to do. We just want to thank them and let them know how much we appreciate them. They’re not alone, and we support the work that they’re doing.”

Departments around the Region welcomed the show of support, appreciating both the meals and the message behind them – especially on National Law Enforcement Day. Crown Point’s Chief of Police Ryan S. Patrick said that the gesture served as a reminder that the department’s work does not go unnoticed.

“It’s a good feeling to know that we have people who care, who understand what our officers go through on a day-to-day basis,” Patrick said. “It means a lot. Each one of us knows someone lost within the line of duty. It’s a day of remembering those who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Opportunities for officers to eat lunch together are rare, with many eating bagged lunches or grabbing fast food while they are out on patrol. It can serve as a big morale boost for departments to sit down and talk over a quality meal.

“It’s a breath of fresh air for them to come in and all eat together,” Patrick said. “It means they’re not eating in their car for a day. Today, we get to come together, stand shoulder to shoulder, and enjoy lunch.”

Baiz noted that the other departments in the area share similar stories, and that the chance to meet with the officers is always one of the year’s highlights.

“They’ll never turn down food,” she said. “I think it means a lot to them to be supported and reminded that they’re appreciated by the community, as well as by businesses in the community.”

Funds to support the effort, and all of Lerner & Rowe Gives Back’s other programs, are raised through events including its annual Indiana Cornhole Tournament. Baiz hopes to continue growing their National Police Week initiative, and visit even more departments in the future.

“Our hope is that we can continue to expand every year,” she said. “The more funds we’re able to raise through our tournament, the more initiatives that we’re able to do throughout the year, the more departments we’ll be able to reach, and the more organizations we’ll be able to support.”

To learn more about Lerner & Rowe Injury Attorneys, visit lernerandrowe.com. For more information on the firm’s charitable efforts, visit lernerandrowegivesback.org.