'Let's Raise the Beams': Charity Hockey Game is Sunday

Blades flashin’, sticks crashin’, chasing down the puck — Oak Lawn’s first responders will battle it out in the seventh annual Police vs. Firefighters Charity Hockey Game this Sunday.

Every year, Oak Lawn police and firefighters raise money for a worthy cause. This year, it’s the Oak Lawn Rotary Club’s 9/11 First Responder Memorial that will be installed on Museum Drive, between the Oak Lawn Metra Station and the Children’s Museum.

Oak Lawn was one of the few communities in the United States to receive from the fallen World Trade Center—not one or two, but four beams. Artist Erik Blome will create a “grove of beams” that he’s calling  The installation will be dedicated on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The 9/11 First Responders Monument commemorates the first responders–police, firefighters, emergency personnel and everyday citizens who laid down their lives helping strangers on that tragic day in 2001, and the resiliency of the American spirit.

The Oak Lawn Rotary Club is leading efforts to raise $100,000 to raise the beams and create a monument that will be the only one of its kind in the Southland.

Village firefighters and cops will duke it out in a friendly grudge match this Sunday starting at 5 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.). In addition to some inspired hockey, the benefit features raffle prizes, a split-the-pot raffle and a silent auction. Oak Lawn’s first responders also will be selling commemorative hockey pucks for $5.

The game will be held at the Oak Lawn Ice Arena, 9320 S. Kenton Ave., starting at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 10. Tickets are $5 for adults; $2 for students. Tickets will be sold at the door.

A family of four can have a great night out for just $14, and it doesn’t get any better than that.

For more information about hosting a fundraiser, making a donation or just keeping track of the 9/11 First Responders Memorial project, visit monumentaloaklawn.com.