The Chicago Police Marine Corps League is a tax deductible 501(C)(4) Veterans’ charity that was founded in 1983 by Marines and Navy Corpsmen who were mostly first responders. The mission of the CPMCL is to support veterans, military and first responders. Money raised by the CPMCL has allowed us to: provide direct support to wounded veterans/LE, donations to BraveHearts (equine therapy), Vet Service Dogs NFP (canine service dogs), Road Home (outstanding mental health), SGB shots (a shot which resets the fight/flight/freeze mechanism for PTSD), GFMs and other tragedy assistance, funeral assistance, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, Our Corps, Brotherhood for the Fallen, Rags of Honor, VFWs, American Legions, Nick Daniels Scholarship, outdoor wellness initiatives (shooting/fishing/hunting), races/marches, Chicago Police Chaplains Ministry, care packages to deployed troops, youth initiatives with NJROTC and the Young Marines, scholarships, and a host of other events/philanthropy for veterans and 1st responders.
OUR PLAN
First, we address wellness through a few programs. We donate to Road Home for their outstanding cognitive processing/behavioral therapy. We donate to Vet Service Dogs NFP for their outstanding therapy service dogs. We donate to BraveHearts for their outstanding equine therapy. We buy SGB/DSR shots for Veterans and 1st Responders from Stella. The 1st three listed charities help people maintain their “software.” They are great methods of treating people without drugs. Some people respond better to animals than people, hence the important roles of Vet Service Dogs and BraveHearts. Stella’s SGB shots help reset the nervous system. It helps reset the amygdala and treats the individual physically to help them mentally.
Next, we believe in our therapeutic connection to the outdoors. Finland is rated one of the happiest countries every year. One of the main reasons for this accomplishment is that the Finnish constantly make time for the outdoors. We accomplish our connection with nature through our two annual hunts, fishing trips, and a Vets 1st 20K March. During each of these events, we spend 3 to 6* hours outdoors in nature. Our fishing trips are at the Chain of Lakes. Our hunting trips are at Rooster Heaven in Forrest, IL. Our 20K is either through the Forest Preserves or along the Lakefront. During each of these events, our participants walk or fish for hours with other Veterans and 1st Responders. This leaves hours to have cathartic conversations with others who share similar backgrounds and experiences.
We believe that physical health is important for mental health. We address this through our races. We raise money for the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation by entering our Police Marines and Patriots team in their 5K Run to Remember. We run in the Edison Park Turkey Trot and usually pick a couple of other races and an obstacle race.
Throughout the year we offer tactical training, shoots, financial/real estate seminars, medical training and benefit updates. All of these address common areas in everyone’s lives where additional information and networking can help.
Next, we offer assistance for funerals and catastrophic events. We join in memorials such as Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade, a 9/11 ride to the Middle East Conflicts Wall, and go out to lay wreaths in December and flags in May at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. We support the Chicago Police Chaplains as a resource to provide spiritual support. They have Chaplains for Christians, Jews and Muslims. Their motto is, “Your partner has your 6, we have your soul.” We also donate to Veteran and 1st Responder NFPs who share our vision. Working together acts as a force multiplier and increases everyone’s ability to aid through mutual support.
All of these events offer additional benefits. They allow people to build a bigger support network, increase our web of friends, and add to great days of camaraderie. People going through hard times often deal with adversity better if they have more resources and a better support network. People also deal with adversity better if they have additional motivation either through spiritual beliefs, family, Patriotism, etc.
We hope you’ll join our mission!
Our Sponsors
