Local resident Joe Ahern has lived a special life that some people can only dream of: working with - and rubbing shoulders with - the rich & famous, including Oprah Winfrey.
Over the years Joe has managed TV stations around the world, but he's best known for running local stations CBS 2 & ABC 7. (While at ABC 7 he helped launch "The Oprah Winfrey Show" out of "AM Chicago") Joe has also been an advisor to Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid committee and President of Rosebud Restaurants.
His current job, however, appears to be the most satisfying: he's Chief Executive Director of the "100 Club Of Chicago" which helps the families of fallen officers. Their website says: "The mission of the 100 Club of Chicago is to help provide for the surviving spouses and dependents of law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics who lose their lives in the line-of-duty. This includes all federal, state, county and local officers, firefighters and paramedics stationed in and working out of Cook County."
Joe raises money and he visits the homes of the affected family as soon as possible - usually the next day - to let them know that The 100 Club will be there for them.
Joe says that over "9 million dollars" has been provided to more than 247 families since it began in 1966.
Joe has previous charity experience including: American Cancer Society, Chicago Central Area Committee, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, Executive Club & Economic Club of Chicago, Loyola University Council of Regents, Museum of Broadcast Communications, and World Business Chicago.
This Wednesday Joe is one of the "celebrity bartenders" at the legendary "Chief O'Neill's Pub & Restaurant" in Chicago. This event honors the 165th birthday anniversary of Chief O'Neill with a benefit for the 100 Club Of Chicago. Chicago police will also be celebrity bartenders and 100% of their tips will go to the 100 Club. Siobhan & Brendan McKinney - owners of Chief O'Neill's - will donate 50% of the day's proceeds from all food & drink sales.
Their namesake Chief (Francis) O'Neill was on the Chicago force from 1873 to 1905 as General Superintendent of Police and a police officer. Joe adds that his grandfather was a Philadelphia police officer.
This special event with local resident Joe Ahern for the 100 Club Of Chicago is Wednesday, August 28, at Chief O'Neill's on Elston in Chicago from 4 p.m. to 2 a. m.
http://www.100clubchicago.org/
