City Times Staff

The first annual Tame the Flame has raised more than $3,700 to benefit the Park Ridge Fire Department.

Along with food and music, the event offered a pugil stick inflatable. (Contributed)

The 5K fun run was held on May 15 with about 60 participants.

Firefighter Chris Villarreal, who is celebrating his 10th year with PRFD, organized the event as a way to raise funds for new uniforms and equipment.

“This is about what we expected,” Villarreal said of the number of participants on Saturday. “And it’s awesome.”

Villarreal added this was not only the first 5K fundraiser he’d organized, but it was also the first fundraiser for the department.

The Mlodik Family with Chief Brian Lepper. (Contributed)

Saturday’s weather was more akin to early winter than spring, but snow and freezing temperatures didn’t stop some of the department’s long-time supporters from attending.

“This is the young man we shaved our heads for,” PRFD Chief Brian Lepper said, referring 12 year-old Isaac Mlodick, a St. Bronislava Elementary School student who last year was being treated with cancer. “We had five of the nine firefighters who shaved their heads present.”

Several members of the Corrections Club from Mid-State Technical College also participated in the run.

Villarreal said the department had no real goal in mind.

“We raised $3,791.47…all in all it was a good day,” Villarreal said. “I would like to thank all our sponsors and people who participated; they made Tame the Flame a success in my book.”