Community Corner

Family of Fallen Firefighter Christopher Wheatley Expands Scholarship Program

A fundraiser will be held at 6 p.m. March 10 at Front Street Cantina to raise money for the FF/PM Christopher D. Wheatley Memorial Foundation.

Family and friends of will continue to honor his memory in the coming years with the expansion of a memorial scholarship program.

Almost immediately after the 31-year-old Lemont native  in August 2010, several family members set up a scholarship fund for students at , from which Christopher graduated in 1997.

In May 2011, the FF/PM Christopher D. Wheatley Memorial Foundation —one for a student-athlete and one for a student interested pursuing a career in medicine or fire science.

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This year, the foundation will again award scholarships to a pair of Lemont High School seniors, but will expand the program to include two scholarships for children of firefighters and paramedics, and another for a cadet in the Romeoville Fire Academy.

"The outpouring of love and support for our family after Christopher died was truly remarkable," said Mary Wheatley, Christopher's mother. "Thanks to the generosity of our friends and the Chicago Fire Department, we're able to keep building on this scholarship program, which I know would make Christopher so happy."

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This May, two scholarships will be funded through the Gold Badge Society of Chicago, an organization comprised of families of fallen firefighters and paramedics. Applicants must be children of firefighters of paramedics, Wheatley said.

A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a college student, recurring annually for four years, while a $500 scholarship is reserved for a high school student, recurring annually for four years.

Wheatley said she is also working with the Romeoville Fire Academy to set up a scholarship that would assist those who have completed EMT/paramedic training and are entering the fire science program.

"It can be pretty expensive, between renting the equipment and paying for the course," she said. "We hope to cover half the cost."

Christopher Wheatley briefly worked for the Romeoville Fire Department under the leadership of current Lemont Fire Chief Carl Churulo before heading to the Chicago Fire Department.

"The Lemont High School scholarships will always be a priority, but we're also very excited to be able to help other organizations that were important to Christopher," Mary Wheatley said.

To kick off fundraising efforts in 2012, the foundation will be at , 319 Front St., beginning at 6 p.m. March 10. All tips collected will go toward the scholarship program.

"I think it's incredible that a Lemont business reached out to us and wanted to do something to help the foundation," Wheatley said. "I hope people will come out March 10, not only for Christopher but also to support a very generous local business.

The guest bartending program at Front Street Cantina has been raising thousands for local organizations and charitable efforts since the restaurant opened in late 2010.

"Personally, I was so sad watching the news the day that Christopher died," said Amy Kelly, a waitress at the Cantina. "His parents and sister are truly amazing people. I love all they have done in his memory, and all of us at the Cantina are really honored to be able to be a part of his fundraiser."

Kelly said live music will be provided by rock band "Timing's Everything."

"It should be a very fun night honoring a true hero and the heroics of what firefighters and paramedics do every day," she said.

Mary Wheatley said the foundation is also gearing up for its second annual golf outing, which is scheduled for Wednesday, June 20, at in Lemont.

The first golf outing raised $20,000 for the foundation last June, Wheatley said.

For more information on the scholarship program or fundraising efforts, visit the FF/PM Christopher D. Wheatley Memorial Foundation website or Facebook page.

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