Members of the La Grange Park Police Department put on their chef hats last weekend, serving up a variety of burgers while raising money for Special Olympics.
A steady stream of hungry people arrived throughout Saturday’s event, showing up and shelling out $40 to eat unlimited burgers at Posto 31, 1017 E. 31st St. Turnout was even better than last year’s event.
“I think it was a huge success this year,” said Jason Korinek, who owns Posto 31. “I don’t have the raw numbers yet, but I think we did close to 400 people … and I think we should raise a good amount of money for the cause.”
Six La Grange Park officers spent the entire afternoon serving their own special burger creations. Officer Matthew Armenta, in his second year on the force, won First Prize with a burger called Pineapple Pursuit, named for an ingredient and “because I’ve gone into way too many pursuits.”
As it turns out, the secret to Armenta’s success was standing nearby.
“She made everything,” Armenta said, pointing to his mother, Denise Armenta.
“This is awesome,” she said. “We love this competition and he loves doing this.”
Armenta’s grandmother also was on hand, praising the event and her grandson.
“What I like best is the intention of the event,” Arlene Armenta said. “To raise money for Special Olympics, and I think it’s great that the community is getting involved in meeting some of their local police officers when things aren’t under stress — and my grandson is one of the cooks!”
Officer Rob Weber won second place with his Horseshoe burger, Sgt. Tim Griffin took third with a creation called “Midnight Shift,” police Chief Tim Contois came in fourth with his Taco Burger, and Commander Fran Marrocco and Officer Nick Spurgash tied for fifth, with a “Commander Burger” and one modeled on Carnitas.
Korinek, who brainstormed with Spurgash and Griffin a few years ago and came up with the idea for the Burger Bash, donated everything for the event, closed his restaurant for the day, payed his staff to work it and donated all the food as well as prizes for several raffles.
The La Grange Park Department began supporting the Special Olympics about five years ago, shortly after Spurgash joined the department after four years with the Palos Park Police.
The event is one of several Special Olympics fundraisers the department participates in.
Others include a Golf Outing, the recent Car Show at Memorial Park, a Happy Hour at Hop District Brewery, 23 E. 31st Street, and the Polar Plunge, which, like the Happy Hour, are held in March.
Special Olympics athlete Daniel Smrokowski was on hand to personally thank people for being part of the event.
“Your support and law enforcement support will go toward Special Olympics Illinois and our programming all year round,” said Smrokowski, winner of a Silver Medal in singles bocce, and a Gold Medal in doubles bocce. “You are helping those of us with disabilities to be totally included in society.”
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
