A local community offered an overwhelming show of love and support to the mother of fallen Chicago police officer Ella French via a donation to Light the Line at the Shrine of St. Christina Church.
“It’s very humbling how much support we get,” Elizabeth French said. “We are so grateful.”
A group of students from the Catholic school presented her with a check for $1,200. The congregation matched the donation to provide emotional support and resources to Chicago police officers, with the donation being made in French’s memory.
“I think it’s very important because the police work very hard to keep our city safe and I think they really deserve to have the money,” said 11-year-old Natalie Kemps, a student at St. Christina School.
The students raised the money in honor of French, who was killed in the line of duty in 2021. Her mother boarded the organization and said the money will help them make changes to the mobile unit to better serve officers at the scene of critical calls and incidents .
“We want to go out and try to get more volunteers,” French said. “Ultimately, we’d like to have a fleet of these vehicles out there because one vehicle can’t cover the whole city.”
NBC Chicago got a look inside the mobile device back in August when it was sent during the week of the Democratic National Convention, equipped with snacks and water for officers responding to protests.
“It’s just an honor and blessing to be a part of Light the Line giving back to the officers,” said Officer Carlos Yanez Jr. “I can’t work alongside them, it’s me doing my part to give back.”
French is now paying it forward with the support she has received and knows her daughter is watching.
“It’s a tough job, it carries a lot of stressors, and we hope to take some of that burden off their shoulders and their families with ease,” French said. “To be able to partially pay it back through Light the Line is just wonderful and I absolutely know my daughter would approve.”