New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund
Encyclopedia
The New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund was created in 1985 by former New York Mets
player Rusty Staub
and Paddy Burns, who was then the Vice President of the New York Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed over $114 million to the families of New York City police and fire personnel who have been killed in the line of duty.
Initially created to assist families of NYPD and NYFD Officers and Firefighters, the fund now includes the families of Emergency Medical Services
and Port Authority
Officers as well. In 1987 the Fund provided 320 families with annual financial assistance. By 2008, that number had grown to 700 families. The Fund is an independent 501(c)(3) charity and does not receive any federal, state or city dollars but relies exclusively on private donations.
In 2008, six-time Stanley Cup winner Mark Messier
joined the Fund's Board of Directors and will serve as a spokesperson. Stephen J. Dannhauser, Chairman of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, is the President and CEO of the Fund. The Fund has created an annual award in honor of its late co-founder, J. Patrick "Paddy" Burns, which was awarded in 2008 to Harrison Ford
for his participation in the Fund's public service announcement.
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
player Rusty Staub
Rusty Staub
Daniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...
and Paddy Burns, who was then the Vice President of the New York Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed over $114 million to the families of New York City police and fire personnel who have been killed in the line of duty.
Initially created to assist families of NYPD and NYFD Officers and Firefighters, the fund now includes the families of Emergency Medical Services
Emergency medical services
Emergency medical services are a type of emergency service dedicated to providing out-of-hospital acute medical care and/or transport to definitive care, to patients with illnesses and injuries which the patient, or the medical practitioner, believes constitutes a medical emergency...
and Port Authority
Port authority
In Canada and the United States a port authority is a governmental or quasi-governmental public authority for a special-purpose district usually formed by a legislative body to operate ports and other transportation infrastructure.Port authorities are usually governed by boards or...
Officers as well. In 1987 the Fund provided 320 families with annual financial assistance. By 2008, that number had grown to 700 families. The Fund is an independent 501(c)(3) charity and does not receive any federal, state or city dollars but relies exclusively on private donations.
In 2008, six-time Stanley Cup winner Mark Messier
Mark Messier
Mark Douglas Messier is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre of the National Hockey League and current special assistant to the president and general manager of the New York Rangers. He spent a quarter of a century in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver...
joined the Fund's Board of Directors and will serve as a spokesperson. Stephen J. Dannhauser, Chairman of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, is the President and CEO of the Fund. The Fund has created an annual award in honor of its late co-founder, J. Patrick "Paddy" Burns, which was awarded in 2008 to Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford is an American film actor and producer. He is famous for his performances as Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy and as the title character of the Indiana Jones film series. Ford is also known for his roles as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner, John Book in Witness and Jack Ryan in...
for his participation in the Fund's public service announcement.
External links
- http://www.answerthecall.org/
- http://www.nypfwc.org/
- http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/98a/pr153-98.html
- http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE1DA163AF935A25752C1A96F948260
- http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0DE4DA103BF933A1575AC0A9679C8B63
- http://www.nasdaq.com/reference/200806/market_close_062308.stm