The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police
The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association has been a dedicated friend to the Jimmy Fund for more than 50 years, and the organization's support is just as strong now as it ever was.
Even before the adopting the Jimmy Fund as their official charity in 1953, the chiefs visited young patients at Dana-Farber and began raising money to support its mission by holding softball games, picnics, canister collections, and other special programs that still continue today.
There are newer events on their roster as well, including the Chief Robert Mortell Run for Jimmy, now in its 18th year. Each September, a growing number of police chiefs run across the Bay State in a relay race to benefit the Jimmy Fund.
Another hallmark of the organization's dedication to the Jimmy Fund is the Hall of Badges, a display that features the shiny gold badges of police chiefs from across the state.
It all began in the late 1940s when Police Chief Hector Pelletier of Cohasset visited a young Jimmy Fund Clinic patient. The boy asked to see the chief's badge, but he didn't have it with him that day, so he sent it to the youngster the following day after having it engraved with the young boy's name. The child was thrilled and Pelletier eventually went on to collect 200 badges as a symbol of support for all patients. The collection is still on display in the Jimmy Fund Gallery at Dana-Farber.
For more information: Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Web site
