ROCHELLE — The Rochelle Police Department’s Pink Patch Project fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October is taking place again this year and sales of t-shirts and patches are underway. 

The department is selling t-shirts for $25 and pink RPD patches for $10. To make a purchase, call or visit RPD at 416 N. 6th St. 815-562-2131 (cash/check only, payable to Rochelle PD Pink Project) or 926 Custom Embroidery at 404 Lincoln Highway 815-561-9500 (cash/credit card). Sweatshirts and hoodies are also available through 926 Custom Embroidery. 

All proceeds will be donated to the Living Well Cancer Resource Center in Geneva, in honor of RPD Officer Ryan Kovacs’ late mother, Tammy Kovacs, who passed away from breast cancer in December 2015. Kovacs started the fundraiser in 2021. About $16,000 has been raised since. 

“It's meant a lot to me,” Kovacs said. “We couldn't do this without the support of the community and the fact that they're willing to invest their money and time to support a cause that's near and dear to my heart means the world to me. It means other people care and want to support the people that need it the most.”

RPD officers will also be wearing hats with pink badges on the front and ribbons on the back while on duty. Officers and dispatchers help Kovacs during the month of October by making sales and raising awareness. Rochelle Township High School Resource Officer Jim Jakymiw and Kovacs are also working to establish a scholarship at RTHS in honor of Tammy Kovacs. 

“It's awesome to know that my coworkers care and that they're invested in something as much as I am,” Kovacs said. “It means everything to me. It's great when one of them comes in and tells me they sold 15 shirts for me without me even asking. It's more money we can give. It means a lot.”

Over the years with the fundraiser, Kovacs has seen people reach out with interest in t-shirts and patches from all 50 states, which he couldn’t believe. When he first started the fundraiser, he hoped to raise $500-1,000. October is now his busiest month with organizing sales and awareness. 

“It's definitely a labor of love,” Kovacs said. “I start planning in June and July and talking with 926 Custom Embroidery and figuring out a t-shirt design and getting stuff ordered and getting promotional material. I never thought I would raise $16,000. I can't put it into words. I just wanted to do it for my mom and it's grown and more people are helping me and it's getting bigger and we're talking about scholarships and other things. Every year it gets bigger and it's more work. But I'm willing to do it if it helps people. We appreciate everyone's support.”

The Living Well Cancer Resource Center is near and dear to Kovacs’ heart because his mother spent time there taking part in its services during her treatment. The center offers cooking classes, art classes and therapy classes and drives those fighting cancer to their doctor and chemotherapy appointments.

Kovacs said he’s enjoyed seeing The Living Well Cancer Resource Center expand its services over the years as he’s given donations. 

“They offer all sorts of services to people that need it so they don't have to go through it alone,” Kovacs said. “Because cancer sucks to go through. My mom was sick a lot and didn't want to leave the house. They'll go pick people up and get them involved so they don't have to suffer alone. Sometimes you donate to places and have no idea where it's going. When I go there, I can see how they're spending the money on helping people. They were great to my mom and helped her with everything so she didn't have to deal with it alone. She loved that place, so I wanted to repay them for the love and support they showed her.”

Kovacs said along with t-shirt and patch sales and donations, he hopes he and RPD can raise awareness during October so maybe someone is moved to get a mammogram, or someone going through breast cancer knows that they’re not alone. 

While October means raising funds for a good cause and spreading positivity for Kovacs, the month brings up emotions and memories of his mother each year. Next year will be 10 years since her passing. He hopes he’s making her proud. 

“I hope she's looking down from above and saying, 'My son is doing a good thing and I raised him right,’” Kovacs said. “It's a happy time because I get to help people, but at the same time it's emotional. Because I miss my mom. I'd trade anything in the world to have my mom come back. This is my way of keeping her memory alive and showing her that she raised a good son who wants to help people. My mom's thing was always, 'Be kind to others.' She believed what you put into the world is what you get back. I hope to put some good into the world.”