The Village of Lyons has found a perfect way to combine a great summer pastime and turn it into something beneficial.

The Lyons Police Department (FOP Lodge No. 44) and Lyons Fire Association will do battle on the softball diamond to kick off the village’s Family Day on Saturday, Aug. 9.

On top of bragging rights, there is a deeper purpose to the game as each squad will play for a charity.

The Fire department will play for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The police department will play for The Heroes Foundation, which goes toward helping those who have been affected by Leukemia.

This is will be the first meeting of these two teams, but the plan is to turn it into an annual event.

“One of our trustees actually came up with the idea and neither side had any problems with it,” said David Deleshe, a lieutenant with both the fire department and the police department. “It’s nice because it’s all for charity. My daughter has juvenile diabetes, so it’s something close to my heart.

“We had sign-up sheets and everyone signed up to play. We have our T-shirts made out already with our charities on the sleeve.”

The game will be played at 3 p.m. at Smith Park, located at 42nd Street and Lawndale Avenue in Lyons.

The trustee who came up with the idea was Pattie Wisneski. She said she received the inspiration from her daughter, Tammy, for last year’s Family Day, but there wasn’t enough time to get things together.

Instead, they waited a year and now have everything in place.

“We approached detective Pete Vizek and Lt. Dave Deleshe (last year), but there wasn't enough time for them to plan the game,” Wisneski said. “One officer did go into the dunk tank and raised money for Special Olympics. A few months ago, Vizek and Deleshe approached me, inquiring about the charity softball game this year and the details were worked out.

“Our police and firefighters are very active in Lyons and are always very generous with their personal time to give back to the community and charities. Any money that is raised is more than not doing anything.”

Deleshe said there hasn’t been much trash talking taking place. However, he has to remain bi-partisan as he is a lieutenant for both departments.

“Considering it’s all for charity, I don’t think there’s been much trash talk going on,” Deleshe said. “But I work for both, so I really can’t get involved in any of that.”

As for the police department, it chose its charity after detective Pete Vizek’s sister lost a son to leukemia. Nicholas Kakolires was just 9 when he passed away two years ago.

The Heroes Foundation puts together care packages for kids who are going to have long hospital stays due to the disease. Also, it arranges entertainment for those children at Children’s Memorial Hospital both in Chicago and Milwaukee.

“We have such an elite group of first responders,” Wisneski said. “Not only do they risk their lives for us, they are helping to save lives by raising money for leukemia and juvenile diabetes.

“The employees and residents of Lyons are the absolute best. Whenever asked to help with a community drive or charity they always come through to show that we are a community that cares.”

Also during Family Day, former Chicago Bear Steve McMichael, who was a defensive lineman on the 1985 Super Bowl team, will be present and will sign autographs for those in attendance.

How to donate

Fire department is playing for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. To donate, call detective Pete Vizek at (708) 780-5294.

Police department is playing for The Heroes Foundation. To donate, call Lt. David Deleshe at (708) 780-5266.

Game-day donations will also be accepted.