St. Patrick's Day is an Irish holiday celebrated all over the world, but nowhere does it with as much gusto as Chicago, Illinois. St. Patrick’s Day in the Windy City is famous for its parades, green beer, and rivers dyed emerald green. Another beloved tradition is the Chicago Green Ribbon campaign. And here at CeremonialSupplies.com our assortment of ceremonial ribbons, including various shades of green ribbons are perfect for the occasion!
Started in 2006, the Green Ribbon campaign was the brainchild of Mary Beth Schewitz, a Chicago resident who wanted to honor her father, a Chicago police officer who passed away in 2002. The goal of Chicago’s Green Ribbon campaign is to raise awareness and funds for the families of fallen Chicago police officers and firefighters. Schewitz, along with her friends and family, sold green ribbons to their community to show support for the cause. CeremonialSupplies.com offers green ribbons that can be used to tie around trees, on fences, and to adorn windows and doors. The Green Ribbon has another back story, one that began in the midwest about a decade earlier.
In 1998, Margaret Bruce, a Pastoral Associate at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in North Dakota, thought of a way to support farm families that were being put out of business. She came up with the idea of a green ribbon and a card that read "We care through prayer." Around the same time, the National Catholic Rural Life Conference (NCRLC) began receiving emergency calls from farm families in stress and saw that the situation was getting worse across the country. In November 1998, NCRLC launched the Green Ribbon Campaign at their 75th anniversary meeting. They developed and began to disseminate rural crisis packets to help parishes deal with the growing rural crisis.
Over the years, the Green Ribbon campaign has grown into a city-wide tradition, with thousands of Chicagoans donning green ribbons on St. Patrick's Day. The ribbons are sold at various locations throughout the city, including the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation and the Chicago Fire Department Gold Badge Society. The Green Ribbon campaign has become a symbol of solidarity with Chicago's police officers and firefighters, who put their lives on the line every day to keep the city safe. The ribbons are a small but meaningful way for Chicagoans to show their appreciation for these brave men and women and to support the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Green Ribbon campaign also serves as a reminder of the importance of community support for our first responders. Police officers and firefighters face tremendous risks and challenges in their work, and they rely on the support of their fellow citizens to do their jobs effectively. By wearing a green ribbon, Chicagoans are demonstrating their commitment to supporting these public servants and their families. The Green Ribbon campaign is not just a one-day event. The ribbons are sold throughout the month of March, and the funds raised go directly to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation and the Chicago Fire Department Gold Badge Society. These organizations provide financial assistance and support to the families of fallen police officers and firefighters, including assistance with funeral expenses, college tuition, and counseling.
Chicago’s Green Ribbon campaign has been a huge success, raising million for the families of fallen first responders since it was first introduced. This incredible achievement is a testament to the generosity and compassion of the people of Chicago, who have rallied behind this worthy cause year after year. CeremonialSupplies.com is proud to offer a selection of green ribbons that come in various sizes and lengths for decoration as Chicago celebrates St. Patrick’s Day and the Irish heritage that is very much alive and a part of every city in the world! Choose from Emerald Green, Light Green, Neon Green and Hunter Green ribbons to create your own special decorations, or you can opt for the giant green ribbon bow, and the green lapel pin!
In addition to the Green Ribbon campaign, Chicago has many other St. Patrick's Day traditions that celebrate the city's Irish heritage. The city's annual St. Patrick's Day parade is one of the largest in the country, with over 400,000 spectators lining the streets to watch the procession of marching bands, bagpipers, and floats. The Chicago River is also dyed green in honor of the occasion, creating a stunning visual spectacle that draws crowds of tourists and locals alike.
As we celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year, CeremonialSupplies.com urges you to take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices of those who put their lives on the line for their communities, and the importance of supporting them and their families. Whether it's through buying a green ribbon or simply saying thank you to a police officer or firefighter, we can all do our part to show appreciation for the selfless people who are part of our communities. Check out CeremonialSupplies.com for green ribbons, and ribbons of every other color! Click here for a quote.