Save Cavallini’s In the Park

I first met Norman Eltfmann 23 or so years ago, when we were working together as paramedics, I instantly saw he was an honest man, full of integrity, with a desire to help others. When he had the opportunity to start Cavallini’s In The Park in Tinley Park, the same town where we worked, he jumped at the chance. While he is no longer helping people in emergency situations, he still helps them none the less. I have watched him give food and coffee to those hungry  when they had no money to pay. Even after he was sued for giving someone a free coffee(Yes this really went to court. The guy sued him because he was “humiliated” by receiving a free coffee in front of other people) this did not stop his desire to help the people of his community. I have seen him give his own money to virtual strangers that were having a hard time.   He holds yearly customer appreciation breakfasts that anyone is welcome to partake in (even those that are not customers), and he hosts free Christmas and Halloween events for the community. This man, who has done so much for others, now needs our help. When Illinois closed down his business in March it was only supposed to be for 2 or so weeks to “flatten out the curve”. Five months later his banquet business is still not allowed to open completely and the county is considering closing it even longer. Despite having a nice cushion of emergency funds he has almost run out of money to keep his business open. Norman has sacrificed 15 years of his life, working about 355 days a year to grow his business to what it was before the pandemic. Not only will Norman and his family suffer if he has to close the business, but so will his employees. His employees have been with him for years and he treats and pays them very well. Many families will be devastated if he has to close down and the community will lose a great business. The 60 billion in small business loans the government handed out mostly went to larger corporations or was lost in other forms of fraud, as has been reported in the news. Cavallini’s In The Park was given a $2,500 loan during the small business bailout which was enough to last a little over a week. His expenses have not stopped, yet he is not allowed to host banquets to pay those bills which the $2,500 loan did not begin to cover. I’m hoping to raise about $15,000 so he can pay his bills, such as rent, utilities, property taxes and license renewal to keep his business afloat for another few months until he can start performing banquets again with no restrictions. Even if you don’t want to donate, please consider buying some of gourmet coffee at http://www.cavallinisinthepark.com/ordercoffee. Every little bit helps. Norman, myself, and all of his employees greatly appreciate you taking the time to read this and if you choose to donate you will have our utmost gratitude. Steve