Photos

Englewood school holds annual barbecue for first responders

The Academy of St. Benedict the African, 6020 S. Laflin St., showed its appreciation for local first responders with its annual barbecue at the school on Aug. 9, 2023. Over the years, the school has formed a special relationship with Chicago Police Department’s 7th District and the Chicago Fire Department’s Engine 116. Police officers and firefighters regularly visit the school, which is located in the city’s Englewood neighborhood, to check on them. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon LeRoy Gill leads a prayer for the first responders at the start of the event. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Volunteer Ivan Mahanic dishes out barbecue to Chicago Police Officers Loretta Vaughn and Shakiyla Sigle. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Chicago Police Officer John Nagle grabs some condiments for his lunch. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Elijah Lawson, a fourth-grader, looks over barbecue choices with his mom, Donnashay Hughes. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Dominican Father Paul Whittington, pastor of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, and Deacon LeRoy Gill chat during lunch. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A cake in honor of the police and fire departments. (Karen Callway/Chicago Catholic)
Chicago Police officers Brandon Rambert and Michael Cleary look over the cake Principal Jennifer Farrand is about to cut. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Jennifer Farrand, principal at The Academy of St. Benedict the African, 6020 S. Laflin St., stops for a photo with Chicago Firefighters that arrived for the barbecue. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The Academy of St. Benedict the African, 6020 S. Laflin St., showed its appreciation for local first responders with its annual barbecue at the school on Aug. 9, 2023. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Advertising