For those who were not at our Answer the Call® Gala please take a look at the Ad Journal that showcases the generous support from our sponsors.
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1700+ CITI Employees Step Up to Answer the Call® and raise $437,000 for our charity.
Here are some highlights from Citi Global Community Day in New York City. We are so grateful for the support of all of the employees for their incredible generosity.
Hit Show Flashpoint Cast and ION Television Step Up to Answer the Call® – Podcast with Enrico Colantoni
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Veteran television actor Enrico Colantoni who plays Sgt. Gregory Parker from the series Flashpoint on ION TV stopped by the Benefit Fund offices to sit down for a podcast. Enrico is best known for his role as Elliot on the hit series Just Shoot Me. Enrico whose brother was a police officer in Canada has a special understanding of the value of first responders. Thank you to Enrico and the entire cast of Flashpoint and to the ION Network for their generosity. Watch Flashpoint on ION Television on Tuesdays at 10 ET 9 C.
Enrico Colantoni as Sgt. Gregory Parker
Enrico Colantoni and Linda Giammona
Stephen Dannhauser accepts the check from the cast of Flashpoint.
10-13 Gala was a Big Success
We want to thank everyone who made our 26th Annual Gala a huge success. The feedback and comments from everyone was so positive. We were thrilled with the turnout and support from our attendees. Special thanks to the children who sang. Not once but twice as they accompanied recording artist Duane McLaughlin on stage for his performance of “Ready To Live”. The 26th Annual Gala will become an event for the record books.
Press Coverage of the 10 – 13 Gala at the Park Avenue Armory.
Here is some of the early press coverage of the 26th Annual Gala Dinner held on October 13 at the Park Avenue Armory.
We will have more press updates as we get them.
New York Police & Fire Widow’s and Children’s’ Benefit Fund to Host 26th Annual Gala on “10-13”, honoring Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO, Lloyd C. Blankfein
NEW YORK, NY (October 4, 2011) – New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund Chairman, Stephen J. Dannhauser of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and President, Kevin Parker of Deutsche Asset Management will host the charity’s 26th Annual Benefit Gala with a tribute to New York City’s fallen first responders on Thursday, October 13, 2011. The gala will be hosted at the Wade Thompson Drill Hall of the Park Avenue Armory in New York City.
This year’s Gala, marking the 10th Anniversary of “9‐11,” will honor Lloyd Blankfein, Chairman and CEO of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., for his ongoing support of the Benefit Fund and NYC’s first responders. The gala will be hosted by Brian Williams, Anchor and Managing Editor of NBC Nightly News.
Kevin Parker, Global Head of Deutsche Bank’s Asset Management division and President of the charity said, “The safety our City’s Fire and Police personnel provide us is something we should never take for granted. The emergency radio call of ‘10‐13’, which is also the date of the Gala, indicates that a First Responder is in need of assistance. Let this date, on the 10th anniversary of 9‐11 when so many of them gave their lives, be a reminder to all of us that our commitment to New York’s bravest and their families must not waiver.”
“It’s a privilege to honor Lloyd,” said Stephen Dannhauser, Chairman of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and Chairman of the charity’s Board of Directors. “The support that he and his colleagues at Goldman Sachs have shown to family members of New York’s finest and bravest heroes has been remarkable and has made a huge impact on their lives, providing help when and where it is most needed.”
“All New Yorkers owe a great deal not only to the City’s first responders but to their families,” said Lloyd C. Blankfein, Chairman and CEO of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. “It is an honor for our firm to help support the New York Police & Fire Widows & Children’s Benefit Fund.”
Special guests include Hockey Hall of Famer, former honoree and charity VP of Community Affairs, Mark Messier, NYC Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, and NYC Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano and
Port Authority Police Superintendent Michael Fedorko, Donnie Wahlberg (Blue Bloods), Jim Cramer (Mad Money) and many of New York’s movers and shakers will be milling amongst the 1200 guests.
Mark Messier said, “I chose to get involved with this charity, AnswertheCall.org because like all Americans and New Yorkers, I was profoundly affected by September 11, 2001. The courage and selflessness that was shown by New York’s Bravest and Finest was an inspiration to me. I feel deeply compelled to honor and remember all first responders who put the safety of others before their own by helping the families they leave behind.”
The event will also feature a performance by up and coming entertainer Duane McLaughlin, who will sing his new release “Ready to Live”.
Since its inception in 1985 by Daniel J. “Rusty” Staub, the Benefit Fund has distributed more than $123 million to the families of New York City Police and Fire Fighters who have been killed in the line of duty. Starting in 1987, the Benefit Fund provided 320 families with annual financial assistance. The commitment has since grown to nearly 700 families. With minimal overhead, the charity is able to give 95 cents of every dollar donated directly to the families who has suffered the loss of a loved one in the line of duty.
The Gala will include a live auction led by George McNeely of Christie’s. Notable items that are being donated this year include unique experience packages through the NYPD, FDNY and PAPD.
The cocktail reception begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 7:30 p.m. Individual tickets begin at $1000.
For tickets and sponsorship/ticket information, contact: Linda Giammona, 212.735.4505 or
linda.giammona@answerthecall.org
Staind Helps to Answer the Call® with Sold Out Concert
Staind shared the stage with charity last night allowing Director of Development to thank fans for Answering The Call. 100% of all tickets sales were donated to the charity and Atlantic records promised to match funds raised.
The Benefit Fund will be Up in Lights on October 13
Mark Messier, Co-Chair for the charity’s “10-13 Answer The Call” Gala , will help kick off the 26th Annual celebration scheduled for October 13th by assisting children from the charity “flip” the Empire State Building’s light switch. From Dusk to Dawn on October 13th the Empire State Building will brighten the New York skyline with the signature colors of the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund – WHITE symbolizing the charity’s white feather, RED symbolizing NY’s Bravest and BLUE symbolizing NY’s Finest. See picture below to get a preview of what the Empire State Building is going to look like on October 13th.
Mark Messier Tribute at Madison Square Garden
Staind Answers the Call® and Puts on Concert to Help The Benefit Fund
Click Here to Buy Tickets
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 12, 2011
“THE MAKING OF STAIND” DOCUMENTARY PREMIERING ON YOUTUBE TOMORROW (SEPT. 13) AT NOON EDT.
STAIND SELF-TITLED ALBUM OUT TOMORROW (SEPT. 13)
DEBUT SINGLE “NOT AGAIN” #1 AT ROCK RADIO;
NYC BEST BUY THEATER SHOW ON 9/15 TO AID NEW YORK POLICE & FIRE WIDOWS’ & CHILDREN’S BENEFIT FUND
Coinciding with the eponymously-titled 7th studio album from Atlantic recording artist, STAIND, YouTube will be premiering their documentary “The Making of Staind” on www.youtube.com today at 12:00pm PDT/EDT. The documentary reveals the tension within the group that nearly caused the breakup of the band during the making of their new album. “It’s painful for me to even watch,” admits Staind singer Aaron Lewis. Shortly after the finishing the album, drummer Jon Wysocki departed the band.
The new, self-titled, seventh studio album from Staind will be released September 13th on Flip / Atlantic. Described by singer/songwriter/guitarist Aaron Lewis as “the heaviest collection of songs the band has ever done,” Staind is a return to their hardest rock roots. In stark contrast to the struggle the band endured recording the album, the debut single “ Not Again” has been the fastest rising single of the band’s career, and is currently the #1 Active Rock Radio single in the country.
To mark the release of the album, Staind will be holding a special charity show at the Best Buy Theater in New York City on September 15th to benefit the families of 9/11. In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, tickets to the show will be priced at $9.11, with all revenue from the show benefitting the charity organization, NEW YORK POLICE & FIRE WIDOWS’ & CHILDREN’S BENEFIT FUND http://answerthecall.org/. “We wanted to create a meaningful event given the timing of our album release,” said Staind guitarist Mike Mushok. “We have deliberately kept the ticket prices low as a way to send the important message that even a small contribution in these tough times can help the families of the heroes of 9/11 that still need our support.”
The New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund’s mission is to provide assistance to the families of New York City Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Port Authority Police and EMS Personnel who have been killed in the line of duty. For more than 27 years the Benefit Fund has provided financial assistance to grieving families immediately after they lose their loved one and since these families often must bear the burden of life-long financial hardship, the Benefit Fund, for its entire history, has made an annual distribution to each widow and widower as well. Volunteer-based and minimal overhead allows 95 cents of every dollar donated to go directly to the families of fallen Firefighters, Police Officers, Port Authority Police and EMS personnel. To make an immediate $10 gift text ANSWERTHECALL to 20222.
Linda Giammona, the charity’s Director of Development, said, “It is inspiring to have such a talented group of people stand with our charity. Staind is sending a message to their fans and their industry peers that everyone CAN make a difference if they choose. Although not everyone has the courage to be a firefighter or police officer we all can say ‘thank you’ to our first responders. We are also grateful for Atlantic Records’ pledge to match ticket sales and thank Staind and Atlantic Records for Answering The Call.”
Atlantic Records will match Staind’s donation from ticket sales for a separate additional donation to the charity.
Tickets are available at staindbenefit911.com. Fans will also be able to stream the concert live on www.staind.com courtesy of Ustream.
“Staind” will be released in stores and all digital retailers September 13th and the band will be performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that night.
“Ready to Live” is Ready to Download
Well it is official. Duane McLaughlin on Saturday September 10, 2011 performed his new song “Ready to Live”. We want to thank Duane for his generosity in donating a portion of the proceeds to The Benefit Fund.
Special thanks goes out to long time friend of the Charity Alan T. Brown for making this relationship happen. Enjoy the performance with this short highlight clip.
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