In the days just after September 11, 2001, our nonprofit Firefighters' Fund "adopted" an FDNY fire station - Engine 24 / Ladder 5 - in Greenwich Village. Members of our nonprofit were involved in fundraising and not much else for several weeks, and after collecting thousands of dollars, we went to New York to deliver grants to the 11 families of Engine 24 / Ladder 5 who lost their firefighters that terrible day. We spent time with them - crying, laughing, sharing meals and stories and hope with them. And when our time there was through, and we left New York to come back home, we knew that we left stronger than we'd been when we arrived. Six years later, not many of the original crew still work there, but this firehouse will always be a special place for us.
And now this, again - not two weeks ago, Engine 24 / Ladder 5 lost two more firefighters who died battling a fire at the former Deutsche Bank building - one of the buildings damaged in the original attacks of September 11. Robert Beddia and Joseph Graffagnino became trapped in maze-like conditions on the 14th floor of the building, which is still undergoing demolition. They suffered severe smoke inhalation and were taken to NY Downtown Hospital in cardiac arrest, where they succumbed to their injuries.
Please keep the families of these firefighters - of all firefighters - in your thoughts. Remember what they do for us, what they give to us. It is everything.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
Big things are happening...
We are getting closer to the chili cook-off, and things are moving right along. We still have so much to do, but I am trying to focus on one thing at a time.
I never realized how much work went into planning events like the cook-off—for example, logistics, promotion, creating logos, writing letters for donation and auction requests, ordering t-shirts and baseball caps, and much, much more. With all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to get caught up in the tasks of making lists, phone calls, and simply prioritizing things to get done. I suppose in doing all these little tasks, we sometimes lose sight of the true purpose of our work.
Yesterday, though, I received a phone call, and it reminded me of what good things will come when we think BIG. One of the employees here requested an auction donation item from Southwest Airlines, and it was such a nice surprise when they called to let us know they were donating pair of roundtrip tickets, valued at over $800! It just goes to show that sometimes you have to think big and expect great things to happen.
With the money we raise from the silent auction, we will be able to assist an injured firefighter, provide support for his or her family, or even provide desperately needed equipment for a volunteer fire department.
There is nothing like knowing that your work has the potential to help a family or provide safety for a fire department. I think that is what drives everyone involved in the Firefighters’ Fund and why we are working to have the best chili cook-off yet!
I never realized how much work went into planning events like the cook-off—for example, logistics, promotion, creating logos, writing letters for donation and auction requests, ordering t-shirts and baseball caps, and much, much more. With all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to get caught up in the tasks of making lists, phone calls, and simply prioritizing things to get done. I suppose in doing all these little tasks, we sometimes lose sight of the true purpose of our work.
Yesterday, though, I received a phone call, and it reminded me of what good things will come when we think BIG. One of the employees here requested an auction donation item from Southwest Airlines, and it was such a nice surprise when they called to let us know they were donating pair of roundtrip tickets, valued at over $800! It just goes to show that sometimes you have to think big and expect great things to happen.
With the money we raise from the silent auction, we will be able to assist an injured firefighter, provide support for his or her family, or even provide desperately needed equipment for a volunteer fire department.
There is nothing like knowing that your work has the potential to help a family or provide safety for a fire department. I think that is what drives everyone involved in the Firefighters’ Fund and why we are working to have the best chili cook-off yet!
Thursday, August 9, 2007
An unforgettable experience
I want to share an experience of one my board members who brought to our attention the plight of an injured firefighter and his family from Miami, Oklahoma. The Fund was able to give a grant to Lt. Billy Bunch’s family to help with the expenses they have incurred since Lt. Bunch was severely injured on November 13, 2006. Lt. Bunch, of Miami, OK FD, fell from the overpass where he was working the fire of a semi-tractor trailer, suffering bilateral femur fractures; heel fractures; scapula, clavicle, and facial fractures; and severe brain injury. The following is my board member’s (Helen Johnson) account of presenting the grant check to the family.
“I delivered the grant check to Janet Bunch this morning (Sunday, August 5), and what a moving experience. Lt. Bunch was brought to the church in his wheelchair from the rehab center. He is so severely injured...it was heartbreaking. He cannot hold his head up; he is a quadriplegic with severe brain damage, has limited response to any stimulation, and I’m told, not aware of his surroundings. However, when I sat beside him and touched his arm and talked to him, he seemed to be aware that I was there.
Janet Bunch is a marvelous woman. She has total faith that her husband will recover. I also got to meet their 13-year old daughter, Megan. Janet was overwhelmed that a group in Texas would help her family.
The Miami, OK FD is beginning to do the necessary renovations to their house to accommodate Lt. Bunch’s wheelchair so Janet can take him home in about six weeks. Janet has been living in Austin to be near Lt. Bunch at the rehab center since February, so I’m sure this grant money will help with those expenses.
I want to say a very special thank you to WPI Firefighters’ Fund and each board member for awarding this grant to the Bunch family. Lt. Bunch is truly an American Hero, willing to make such a sacrifice in his line of duty.”
“I delivered the grant check to Janet Bunch this morning (Sunday, August 5), and what a moving experience. Lt. Bunch was brought to the church in his wheelchair from the rehab center. He is so severely injured...it was heartbreaking. He cannot hold his head up; he is a quadriplegic with severe brain damage, has limited response to any stimulation, and I’m told, not aware of his surroundings. However, when I sat beside him and touched his arm and talked to him, he seemed to be aware that I was there.
Janet Bunch is a marvelous woman. She has total faith that her husband will recover. I also got to meet their 13-year old daughter, Megan. Janet was overwhelmed that a group in Texas would help her family.
The Miami, OK FD is beginning to do the necessary renovations to their house to accommodate Lt. Bunch’s wheelchair so Janet can take him home in about six weeks. Janet has been living in Austin to be near Lt. Bunch at the rehab center since February, so I’m sure this grant money will help with those expenses.
I want to say a very special thank you to WPI Firefighters’ Fund and each board member for awarding this grant to the Bunch family. Lt. Bunch is truly an American Hero, willing to make such a sacrifice in his line of duty.”
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
The generosity of others
Who knew how much work went into planning a chili cook-off?! Before this summer, I had no idea, but I certainly do now. But as much work as it is, it’s still a lot of fun helping to plan our upcoming Chili Cook-off & Festival.
Lately I’ve been racking my brain for potential donors who can donate to the silent auction we’ll be holding as part of the festival. I’m really been amazed at the companies such as Target, Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Best Buy, and Starbucks who all commit to giving back to the community. They all have departments created specifically to offer donations and grants and to fulfill the special requests of non-profit organizations.
It’s easy to get caught in the trap of thinking that people, and especially large corporations, will resist giving back to the community. But in asking for donations from local stores, restaurants, sports teams, and other businesses, I have realized that this is not really the case. Most are more than willing to contribute.
If you think about the work of a firefighter, they put their lives on the line every day for people they don’t even know. So when companies and individuals donate to the Firefighter’s Fund, they are contributing to those who regularly contribute to others. For me, that serves as a reminder that people out there are making a difference and giving positive contributions to their communities.
Lately I’ve been racking my brain for potential donors who can donate to the silent auction we’ll be holding as part of the festival. I’m really been amazed at the companies such as Target, Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Best Buy, and Starbucks who all commit to giving back to the community. They all have departments created specifically to offer donations and grants and to fulfill the special requests of non-profit organizations.
It’s easy to get caught in the trap of thinking that people, and especially large corporations, will resist giving back to the community. But in asking for donations from local stores, restaurants, sports teams, and other businesses, I have realized that this is not really the case. Most are more than willing to contribute.
If you think about the work of a firefighter, they put their lives on the line every day for people they don’t even know. So when companies and individuals donate to the Firefighter’s Fund, they are contributing to those who regularly contribute to others. For me, that serves as a reminder that people out there are making a difference and giving positive contributions to their communities.
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