A "positive impact:" Emerald Society raises money to help families of officers injured, killed in line of duty



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It is their one and only fundraiser of the year, so they try to make it count -- but the money collected by the Emerald Society of Wisconsin doesn't stay with them. Instead, it benefits the families of law enforcement officers injured or killed in the line of duty.

No sooner did it turn to March and an Irish kitchen came to life -- sparked by a couple of cooks whose generosity boils over every year at this time.

"Italian food gets all the glory. "Irish food is quality comfort food," Sean Burke said.

Sean Burke and his wife, Tami are restaurateurs, but instead of Sunday brunch, they were simmering corned beef and potato soup on Sunday, March 1st at the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center while serving as guest cooks for the Emerald Society of Wisconsin's annual benefit.

"We've had the event for a number of years. We actually used to have it at the Irish Castle but the event has been so popular it actually outgrew the venue," Sean Burke said.

The Emerald Society is a society of Irish-American police and law enforcement officers. Each year, they raise money for a local cause. For the past two years, the fundraiser has benefited an organization called COPS.

"The Concerns of Police Survivors has a kids camp in East Troy, Wisconsin every summer. The money that we donate to them goes to that kids camp," Gary Schneider, president of the Emerald Society of Wisconsin said.

A donation will also be made to "Shielded Hearts," a group that helps police families and spouses during times of tragedy.

During the fundraiser, money came in through raffles and rations. Instead of tending bar, Stephanie LaHaye was busy slinging beef.

"It's loving what I do -- plus, doing it for a good cause, so it's really the happiest it could make me," LaHaye said.

"Anything we can do to make any kind of positive change or positive impact, we wholeheartedly support it," Sean Burke said.

The Emerald Society of Wisconsin hoped to raise $5,000 during this fundraiser.