We are Steve and Gayla Rummans, the founders of the nonprofit organization IL. Quad Cities L.E.A.D., Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. 

In 2017 Steve and I moved to Wisconsin for his job.  We “stumbled upon” a group called “Back the Badge” who were hosting a golf outing for their Law Enforcement Officers.  As our oldest son serves as a Lieutenant for a police department in his community, of course a cause like this was near and dear to our hearts.  Anyone with a loved one in Law Enforcement understands the immense stress that comes with the job and the toll it takes on the officers and their families,  so we were happy to help host a day of respite and a bit of joy for these men and women in blue.

Steve and I quickly became part of the Back the Badge core team and have been volunteering ever since.  Each year we watched over 140 some officers from different departments come together, let their hair down, so to speak, and just have some good ole fun.  A day where they could relax and weren’t constantly on guard or having to watch their six. 

When we moved back home to the Quad Cities in 2024 we knew that this was something we wanted to bring to our local officers. Our organization is dedicated to honoring those we lovingly call “Champions of our Streets and Heroes of our Hearts”.  We aim to express our gratitude for their dedication to public safety and recognize the personal sacrifices they make to keep us safe. Their profession often demands long hours, unpredictable schedules, and high levels of stress which can make it difficult to fully disconnect when they are off duty.

Officers routinely face complex and emotionally taxing situations, from maintaining public safety to handling crises, all of which can take a toll on their mental and emotional well-being. Their commitment to both their roles – as public servants and as family members – is a testament to their resilience and dedication.

Our golf outing is more than just a day of play.  It’s an essential part of supporting their mental health.  Officers need time to connect with their fellow colleagues, decompress, and share experiences that only others in their field can truly understand.  It’s also a chance for us to remind them that there is still good in this world. 

We hope this event will be the first of many.  Officers will enjoy a day of golf, a complimentary lunch and dinner all at no cost to them.