Showing posts with label Jim McMahon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jim McMahon. Show all posts

Monday, August 01, 2011

Mark Konkol Deserves "Noble Prize!" Konkol Kicked the G and Charged Up a Disabled Marine's Neighbors.



Aimee Zmysly and Yuriy Zmysly have friends, neighbors and Americans from all over the continent in their corner and now, at long last, the Federal Government for which Yuriy fought.

Pulitzer Prize winner Mark Konkol of the Chicago Sun Times got the ball rolling on April 4, 2010 with a story of Yuriy and Aimee's strength and love for one another. Mark Konkol, like his colleagues Natasha Korecki and Tim Novack, is a pitbull on a story.

This is great. What is greater happens to be the response of members of the VFW, American Legion, Windy City Veterans, and the good people who stepped up to help the young Marine and his bride.

Due to red-tape, I hope, Yuriy was denied disability benefits. Last year, Jim McMahon, Second City Cop, Detective Shaved and other blogs put out a call to help the Zmysly Family. The other local media ran stories too. Benefits were held and dollars poured in to help the young couple.

Now, the young couple has received their first check from the United States government.

For more than six years, Aimee Zmysly has been the unpaid caretaker for her husband, Yuriy Zmysly, who suffered a brain injury during routine surgery at a military hospital in North Carolina after surviving tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Marine Corps. He was left disabled, unable to see, walk or talk.

Now, thanks to a new federal law that the Oak Lawn couple helped spur the passage of, caregivers for severely disabled veterans can get a stipend from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Aimee Zmysly’s first check arrived about two weeks ago. It was for $3,541.26.

For Aimee Zmysly, 25, the money was more than just a $12-an-hour subsidy for giving up a career of her own to take care of her husband full-time. It was also validation.

“It’s good to be recognized for what I’ve been doing and other people have been doing for years,” she said.

“The whole reason why I take care of Yuriy, and have given up a lot, is because I wanted him home. He doesn’t belong in a hospital or a nursing home. It’s a hard job to do, especially when you are husband and wife, and you have all these roles — caregiver, wife and friend. It gets overwhelming.”


Mark Konkol was dogged. He wrote a series of articles and not "an" article to keep the story alive as the noble gent writes today - leaving his own part in the saga unmentioned.

In April 2010, the Zmyslys were living in a tiny room in Aimee’s parents’ house when “Aimee and Yuriy: A Love Story” appeared on the front page of a Sunday edition of the Chicago Sun-Times.

When the government notified Yuriy Zmysly it had declared him “medically retired” from the Marines, that sharply reduced his benefits, leaving the couple unable to afford the care he needed.

Touched by their story and in some cases angry about how the government had treated the couple, Sun-Times readers made sure the next chapter in their life story would be a happier one by contributing to an effort by the not-for-profit organization Salute Inc. to help the Zmyslys. As a result, last September, nearly five years to the day since they’d met, Aimee and Yuriy Zmysly moved in to a newly renovated and fully furnished house.
Click my post title for the Konkol archives on this saga.


With all of the puffed-up egos, agenda-driven hacks, and iconic bullies in journalism, Mark Konkol stands out as a guy who does his job with humility as well as a great human heart. That is nobility.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Oak Lawn VFW Benefit for an American Hero -Cpl. Yuriy Zmysly USMC




Iraq - 2005

Yuriy Zmysly was born in the Ukraine, and came to this country as a teenager. He loved America and proudly enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps to fight for his new country. He bravely served two tours of duty, one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. During a routine appendectomy in a military hospital, an incompetent butcher cut off the oxygen supply to Yuriy's brain, leaving him brain damaged, paralyzed and partially blind. Because of the Feres Doctrine, he and his wife Aimee cannot sue for medical malpractice, and receive no government support to pay for his astronomical living expenses. How's that for taking care of our soldiers?

Even though our government has turned their back on this patriot, that doesn't mean that we should too. I believe we owe him at least that much. http://blogs.suntimes.com/konkol/2010/05/us_supreme_court_shows_no_love.html

Please help support this fine young man by forwarding this email to everyone in your address book and help make this Oak Lawn mans fundraiser a huge success this coming weekend.
Huge hat tip to Chicago Firefighter Hero - Jim McMahon

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Beautiful Bridget Egan Fights Cancer With a Crowd of Neighbors This Saturday at Bourbon Street

Thanks to Jim McMahon! If it helps people, the word is spread by neighborhood firefighting hero, Lt. Jim McMahon!

Bridget Egan,daughter of Brian and Pat and sister of Jack and Nora, is a St. Cajetan's Girl and beautiful young woman. Bridget is a fixture at Kennedy Park helping girls warm up their pitching arms and encouraging little ladies to do their best. Let's get out and warm-up our pitching arms for Bridget.

Bridget was diagnosed with stage 3 Adeno Carcinoma in May 2010 that had spread to her left and right lymph nodes - a very rare form of the cancer. Bridget decided to pursue her treatment at the University of Chicago. She is pushing through her last few weeks of chemo and radiation and gets to go home the week of Thanksgiving – with a lot to be thankful for.

Needless to say, Bridget has had a long, hard, painful last few months and more lies ahead of her. And, as to be expected, she has kept everyone laughing and positive through it all. I do not have to tell all of you how truly incredible Bridget is. She is absolutely bursting with love every day of her life- lighthearted, open, and genuine. She has always been so eager to help others and now it is our turn to show her how truly loved and appreciated she is!



An Evening of Fun with DJ Jay of Chicago, Raffles, Food, Beer, Wine, Non-alcoholic Beverages, Desserts

Saturday, January 22, 2011 3:00pm—8:00pm

115 Bourbon Street (Where Else? If it's helping a neighbor, it's at Bourbon Street!)
3359 W 115th Street, Merrionette Park, IL 60803

Tickets are $45 in advance with Bridget Tee - Click my post title
OR
$30 in advance Admission Only

Friday, October 01, 2010

Densey Cole Benefit this Sunday at Bourbon Street


Mount Greenwood's Chicago Firefighter Citizen, Jim McMahon reminds all of us to lend a hand and land some dollars for Chicago Police Officer Densey Cole, this Sunday. See you there!

On May 27, 2009, Chicago Police Officer Densey Cole II was responding to a burglary in progress call in the 022nd District. While en route, Officer Cole’s vehicle was struck by another vehicle that had crossed over the median. Officer Cole’s head slammed against the roof of the SUV and that impact broke his neck. Shortly after the accident while he was still unconscious, two offenders entered his marked police vehicle, moved him, and removed his sidearm and wallet. This movement exacerbated Cole’s injuries. An offender was subsequently arrested and charged with disarming a police officer and robbery. Officer Cole was diagnosed a quadriplegic and is currently rehabbing in the Chicago area.

Densey Cole’s friends and family will be hosting a benefit to assist with the overburdening cost of medical bills, rehabilitation and necessary home renovation to accommodate his life as a quadriplegic and are asking for your help.

Standing Up With Densey
115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park, IL
Sunday - October 3, 2010
2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tickets $25.00

Food, Drink, Raffles, Silent Auction, Live Music

As part of the event we plan to hold a silent auction & raffles and were hopeful you could make a donation: we are asking for any type of merchandise, electronics, gift cards, tickets, services, etc…Any donation you make can be picked up by a committee member.

Monetary Donations can also be made via this website or at Archer Bank 3435 W. 111th Street Chicago, IL 60655 or see www.archerbank.com for your nearest location. Please make checks payable to Densey Cole Benefit.

You may fill out the auction Donation sheet by clicking here, download and print. Return it with your donation or send us an email at DenseyBenefit@Gmail.com or ColeBenefit@Gmail.com for immediate response to questions and/or item pickup.

http://denseycole.com
Posted by Jim McMahon at 6:59 PM

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Make it For Mikey LaPorta - Be At Bourbon Street for a Great Family and Have a Great Time . Now, This is Grassroots!


This Saturday, August 28, 2010, come on out to Bourbon Street 3359 W. 115th Street in Merrionette Park , IL and help a great family.

Here is a note from neighborhood firefighter Jim McMahon -

"There is a benefit at Bourbon Street next Saturday for a young man from West Beverly that got shot in the head last January. I have worked with his uncle, Johnny LaPorta, from time to time over the years on the fire department and just got to know this kids parents recently. The father's a hard working guy and his wife is from my old neighborhood (St. Bede). They're just genuine down to earth people who got a real tough break. This is a real good family and we're trying to get every person we can to go to this benefit to help support this effort. The benefit committee has done their part, it's organized and ready to go, now we just need THE PEOPLE."

Here are the facts -



In the early morning hours of January 12, 2010, a native West Beverly man, Mike LaPorta, was involved in an incident that has changed his life, and his family’s life forever.

He had recently moved out to the town of Sandwich , but came into the city to celebrate his father’s birthday with him and the rest of their family. After a nice evening that included dinner and cake with his family, Mike went out to a neighborhood bar to meet up with some of his longtime friends for a few drinks, a few laughs and to play a few games of bean bags.

They ended up at his former college roommate’s home in Mount Greenwood when tragedy struck. Somehow, 29 year old Mike LaPorta got shot in the back of the head with his friend’s gun, leaving a bullet lodged in the back of his brain. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are unclear, and the Chicago Police Department are still investigating the incident. He remembers being at his friends house, but doesn’t recall the shooting at all, and his family has not shared the details of the incident with him.

Initially, his chances for survival were less than slim, but with our superior surgeons and medical facilities, and by the grace of God, Mike miraculously survived. He spent months in the hospital clinging to life and has undergone several major brain surgeries. Mike has been released from the hospital but still requires around the clock care, so his parents have taken him back to live with them in their West Beverly home, which they had to have extensively remodeled and altered to accommodate Mike’s wheelchair and other special needs.



LaPorta is getting rehabilitation therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago [RIC] and is also going to Next Steps SCI, Rehab Center in Willow Springs, who are connected to the Christopher Reeves Foundation and specialize in teaching people with spinal cord injuries to walk again. Mike’s working very hard in therapy and is making great progress, both physically and mentally. Even though he cannot walk yet and has some difficulty initiating conversation, his long term memory and attitude are good. Mike’s a strong young guy and has a lot of support, so if he can continue to get the right rehabilitation, we’re all hoping and praying for him to achieve a substantial amount of recovery.

Mike LaPorta is a graduate of Brother Rice High School and has always loved the great outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, but also enjoyed mountain biking. He’d go on several hunting trips every year with another one of his close friends who is also an outdoorsman, Lance Metzger, who these days spends a lot of his time indoors with Mike, and is just grateful that he survived the shooting. Metzger says he is very optimistic now that his buddy has been making such great strides and has even begun to smile again. "I'll always be at his side," said Metzger.

Metzger keeps encouraging Mike's mother, Patti, by telling her “Be grateful for what you have, and you've got to move on and work with what you have." The support from LaPorta’s friends and family has been absolutely fantastic, but things of this nature can become overwhelming very quickly. The LaPorta family are in for a long uphill climb and they can’t do it alone. We’ve all gotta help them along.

As I’m sure you can imagine, the LaPorta family has incurred a significant amount of medical expenses since the shooting, and future costs are going to be astronomical. The emotional strain alone that something like this has on a family is impossible to even explain, not to mention adding the huge financial burden to the equation. When an unexpected and devastating event like this happens in our lives, it’s a complete “game changer.” It affects not only the victim, but every member of the family, their friends and anyone even casually associated with them. It is indescribable!

There’s absolutely nothing that anyone can do to change the past, but we do have a tiny bit of control over the future, at least when it comes to what we will do to help as individuals. So in the spirit of helping out our friends and neighbors, some of Mike LaPorta’s friends decided to run a benefit they’ve very aptly coined, "Miracles for Mikey," to help raise the much needed funds that it will take to help this family.

It will be held next Saturday afternoon, from 3 to 7 p.m. on August 28th at 115 Bourbon Street , located at 3359 W. 115th Street in Merrionette Park , IL .

Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for age 16 and younger. This event will feature food, beverages, raffles, silent auctions and entertainment. Nobody does benefits better than Bourbon Street , and it’s always nice to get out of the house and see some old friends again. This should be a real good time.

Monetary donations can also be sent to the “Miracles for Mikey” fund at Archer Bank, c/o Nancy Kuzma, 3435 W. 111th Street in Chicago , IL 60655 .

Mike LaPorta’s parents are Mike and Patti, he has a younger brother named Chris, and is also a nephew of the Chicago Fire Departments very own, Johnny LaPorta.

For additional information, please call Lance Metzger at (708) 717-3790 or go to: www.miraclesformikey.webs.com

The “Miracles for Mikey” benefit committee has worked tirelessly to organize this wonderful event, but if they don’t get the numbers turning out, it will not be successful.

This is why I’m asking each and every one of you; to please come out to Bourbon Street next Saturday afternoon, bring along your neighbors and family members, and let’s make it a day to remember. We all know that money is tight everywhere, so if you can’t afford to attend or just can’t make it for some other reason, then please consider opening up your heart and your checkbook and make a donation to the “Miracles for Mikey” fund at Archer Bank, for whatever amount you CAN afford. Because while some can still afford to give a lot, and others can only afford to give a little, every little bit will help…..a lot!

Let’s all join together as a community and support this fine neighborhood family.

Thanks………Jimmy McMahon

This benefit is just one week away from today, so please spread the word and FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO EVERYONE THAT YOU CAN.


Even if you are tied up with Daddy-Do jobs and tasks, Mom-Car-Pooling to cheerleading, or out of town, click my post title and On Miracles for Mikey see where you can send a check.

This is Grassroots! That other nonsense is political . . .nonsense. Let's help each other. We always do! See you there!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Make It For Mikey LaPorta! Benefit This Saturday for a Great Family at Bourbon Street!


This Saturday, August 28, 2010, come on out to Bourbon Street 3359 W. 115th Street in Merrionette Park , IL and help a great family.

Here is a note from neighborhood firefighter Jim McMahon -

"There is a benefit at Bourbon Street next Saturday for a young man from West Beverly that got shot in the head last January. I have worked with his uncle, Johnny LaPorta, from time to time over the years on the fire department and just got to know this kids parents recently. The father's a hard working guy and his wife is from my old neighborhood (St. Bede). They're just genuine down to earth people who got a real tough break. This is a real good family and we're trying to get every person we can to go to this benefit to help support this effort. The benefit committee has done their part, it's organized and ready to go, now we just need THE PEOPLE."

Here are the facts -

In the early morning hours of January 12, 2010, a native West Beverly man, Mike LaPorta, was involved in an incident that has changed his life, and his family’s life forever.

He had recently moved out to the town of Sandwich , but came into the city to celebrate his father’s birthday with him and the rest of their family. After a nice evening that included dinner and cake with his family, Mike went out to a neighborhood bar to meet up with some of his longtime friends for a few drinks, a few laughs and to play a few games of bean bags.

They ended up at his former college roommate’s home in Mount Greenwood when tragedy struck. Somehow, 29 year old Mike LaPorta got shot in the back of the head with his friend’s gun, leaving a bullet lodged in the back of his brain. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are unclear, and the Chicago Police Department are still investigating the incident. He remembers being at his friends house, but doesn’t recall the shooting at all, and his family has not shared the details of the incident with him.

Initially, his chances for survival were less than slim, but with our superior surgeons and medical facilities, and by the grace of God, Mike miraculously survived. He spent months in the hospital clinging to life and has undergone several major brain surgeries. Mike has been released from the hospital but still requires around the clock care, so his parents have taken him back to live with them in their West Beverly home, which they had to have extensively remodeled and altered to accommodate Mike’s wheelchair and other special needs.



LaPorta is getting rehabilitation therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago [RIC] and is also going to Next Steps SCI, Rehab Center in Willow Springs, who are connected to the Christopher Reeves Foundation and specialize in teaching people with spinal cord injuries to walk again. Mike’s working very hard in therapy and is making great progress, both physically and mentally. Even though he cannot walk yet and has some difficulty initiating conversation, his long term memory and attitude are good. Mike’s a strong young guy and has a lot of support, so if he can continue to get the right rehabilitation, we’re all hoping and praying for him to achieve a substantial amount of recovery.

Mike LaPorta is a graduate of Brother Rice High School and has always loved the great outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, but also enjoyed mountain biking. He’d go on several hunting trips every year with another one of his close friends who is also an outdoorsman, Lance Metzger, who these days spends a lot of his time indoors with Mike, and is just grateful that he survived the shooting. Metzger says he is very optimistic now that his buddy has been making such great strides and has even begun to smile again. "I'll always be at his side," said Metzger.

Metzger keeps encouraging Mike's mother, Patti, by telling her “Be grateful for what you have, and you've got to move on and work with what you have." The support from LaPorta’s friends and family has been absolutely fantastic, but things of this nature can become overwhelming very quickly. The LaPorta family are in for a long uphill climb and they can’t do it alone. We’ve all gotta help them along.

As I’m sure you can imagine, the LaPorta family has incurred a significant amount of medical expenses since the shooting, and future costs are going to be astronomical. The emotional strain alone that something like this has on a family is impossible to even explain, not to mention adding the huge financial burden to the equation. When an unexpected and devastating event like this happens in our lives, it’s a complete “game changer.” It affects not only the victim, but every member of the family, their friends and anyone even casually associated with them. It is indescribable!

There’s absolutely nothing that anyone can do to change the past, but we do have a tiny bit of control over the future, at least when it comes to what we will do to help as individuals. So in the spirit of helping out our friends and neighbors, some of Mike LaPorta’s friends decided to run a benefit they’ve very aptly coined, "Miracles for Mikey," to help raise the much needed funds that it will take to help this family.

It will be held next Saturday afternoon, from 3 to 7 p.m. on August 28th at 115 Bourbon Street , located at 3359 W. 115th Street in Merrionette Park , IL .

Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for age 16 and younger. This event will feature food, beverages, raffles, silent auctions and entertainment. Nobody does benefits better than Bourbon Street , and it’s always nice to get out of the house and see some old friends again. This should be a real good time.

Monetary donations can also be sent to the “Miracles for Mikey” fund at Archer Bank, c/o Nancy Kuzma, 3435 W. 111th Street in Chicago , IL 60655 .

Mike LaPorta’s parents are Mike and Patti, he has a younger brother named Chris, and is also a nephew of the Chicago Fire Departments very own, Johnny LaPorta.

For additional information, please call Lance Metzger at (708) 717-3790 or go to: www.miraclesformikey.webs.com

The “Miracles for Mikey” benefit committee has worked tirelessly to organize this wonderful event, but if they don’t get the numbers turning out, it will not be successful.

This is why I’m asking each and every one of you; to please come out to Bourbon Street next Saturday afternoon, bring along your neighbors and family members, and let’s make it a day to remember. We all know that money is tight everywhere, so if you can’t afford to attend or just can’t make it for some other reason, then please consider opening up your heart and your checkbook and make a donation to the “Miracles for Mikey” fund at Archer Bank, for whatever amount you CAN afford. Because while some can still afford to give a lot, and others can only afford to give a little, every little bit will help…..a lot!

Let’s all join together as a community and support this fine neighborhood family.

Thanks………Jimmy McMahon

This benefit is just one week away from today, so please spread the word and FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO EVERYONE THAT YOU CAN.


Even if you are tied up with Daddy-Do jobs and tasks, Mom-Car-Pooling to cheerleading, or out of town, click my post title and On Miracles for Mikey see where you can send a check.

This is Grassroots! That other nonsense is political . . .nonsense. Let's help each other. We always do! See you there!

Monday, May 03, 2010

Please Sign Petition to Keep a Cop Killer in Prison



On May 11, 2010, Theodore Bacino is scheduled for his annual parole hearing in Dixon, Illinois, which of us from the Command Staff will be attending to speak against. Bacino is serving a 75-100 year sentence for the on duty murder of Detective Mike Mayborne on March 15, 1974. Mike’s family has created a very impressive web-site, as part of a memorial to him, which I would encourage you to visit. www.mikemayborne.com

You will notice that there is an area for the on-line petition, protesting the parole for Bacino. The on-line petition also has a box to check to ask for the 3 year set. http://www.mikemayborne.com/ON-LINE_PETITION.html

As it currently stands, the family has to go through this petition process and attend the parole hearing to appeal parole every year. Just a couple of years ago in 2007, the parole board was within one vote (7-6) of granting parole. Last year, he only received one vote in favor of parole (10-1), so it is important that those who believe Bacino should be denied parole speak out. Hopefully, this year Bacino will again be denied parole, and the 3 year set will be granted to give Terry, Jennifer, and Kimberly (along with the rest of Mike’s family) an opportunity to have a break from this annual emotional visit back to the worst time in their lives.

Please share this with others within your circle of contacts who might support this effort. Thank you for taking the time to consider this important issue.

Chief Deputy Kurt Ditzler
FBINA 200th Session
Winnebago County Sheriff's Department
650 West State Street
Rockford, IL 61102
(815) 319-6312 Office
(815) 962-8551 Fax
DitzlerK@WCSO-IL.US



“WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU MIKE”

Friday, April 23, 2010

Well done Neighbors! Here's Jim McMahon with our Local School Council for the Chicago Agricultural High School!


From our Pal Jim McMahon!

Here are the results from the election at the Ag School. All 5 of our candidates* were elected, and by landslide margins. Our candidate with the lowest number of votes (714), was more than double the amount gotten by the next highest winning candidate (320).

It’s amazing what can be accomplished when we all stick together, and there was an unprecedented 1,189 voters that did just that yesterday. Congratulations to the winners and a special thanks to Pat Hickey for posting this and to those that got out and voted to make this victory possible.

Look out Mayor Daley….they’re awake now!



6 - PARENT REPRESENTATIVES
898 = Mike McGrath*
766 = Keith Oliver*
714 = Carlos Soto*
320 = Jean Cook
312 = Rouhy Shalabi
285 = Debra Greene

DEFEATED
164 = Thomas McMahon
115 = Milton Garrett
91 = Catherine Boganey
48 = Marcia Bass
15 = John Pape



2 - COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES
941 = Kevin Helmold*
914 = Denis Riordan*

DEFEATED
109 = Elizabeth Perrine
91 = Charles James
84 = Brenda Pryor



2 - TEACHER REPRESENTATIVES
32 = Gail Gavin
28 = Molly Condon

DEFEATED
26 = Brendan O’Laughlin



Posted by Jim McMahon to . . . With Both Hands at 12:29 PM

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Vote Today for Our Representatives to Local School at Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences Council


Neighbors! Let's vote for five great neighbor citizens as our representatives onto the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences School Council.

Only Suckers Beef and only voting citizens act to make a difference. I'll vote before I take the girls to school and head over to Leo. Get a big cup of coffee at Kean on 111th Street and head over to Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences and vote. This is our school and our neighborhood.

Our neighbor and Fire Department hero, Jim McMahon has been working to get us all to quit beating our gums and vote. Thanks Jim!

LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTION


I just voted for five neighborhood people at
Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences
3857 W. 111th Street
Chicago, IL 60655

Go get them on our council, Neighbors!

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO VOTE!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
From 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM

I urge you to support our local school and community by voting for these 5 great guys to be our representatives. All 5 of them are neighbors and co-workers of ours, and will treat everyone in OUR community with fairness and the respect they have earned.

 Mike McGrath ~ Parent Representative ~
 Carlos Soto ~ Parent Representative ~
 Keith Oliver ~ Parent Representative ~
 Dennis Riordan ~ Community Representative ~
 Kevin Helmold ~ Community Representative ~

All parents and community members of Mount Greenwood, Beverly and Morgan Park are eligible to vote in this election.

You’ll need 2 forms of I.D. to vote
POSTED BY JIM MCMAHON & Mile NeedhamAT 2:56 PM




Mike Klonsky wants you to stay at home. Vote, Nighbors!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Angel Lauren McGovern Home for Christmas!


Huge Hat Tip to Jim McMahon

In case you haven’t heard, Lauren McGovern came home from the hospital earlier this month and was able to be together with her family this Christmas.

Jewel Food Stores are hosting a Shop & Share for Lauren this December 29th, 30th and 31st. Go to http://www.lovinglauren.org/uploads/jewel_Dec28_29_30.pdf to download and print the forms to give to the cashier. This is NO COST to you, and a small percentage of any purchases you make at Jewel on any of these days gets credited to the McGovern family. You are prohibited from handing these forms out in front of any Jewel-Osco Stores, but you should print a few extra ones in case you run into any of your neighbors at the store that didn’t hear about this.

There will be a benefit for her at Bourbon Street on April 17, 2010 to help raise funds for her ongoing rehabilitation. Please visit http://www.lovinglauren.org for details.

Thanks for supporting this fine family and their beautiful little girl.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO ARTICLE TO EVERYONE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK, AS THEY ARE HONORED AT ANY JEWEL-OSCO STORE NATION WIDE.

www.jimmcmahonchicago.blogspot.com