The Benefit Fund is not a new discovery for Patricia since her father Brian Marro has been a supporter for many years.  Listen as Patricia discusses how she came up with a very unique approach to helping to raise money for our charity.  The Benefit Fund depends on the generosity of individuals like Patricia and businesses like Digital Edge to sustain the level of support that we give to the families of those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Performers in StandTogetherJam2010 include roots-rock favorites The Bicycle Thieves of Berlin, Esquela, Digger Jones, The John Scarpulla Band, Pispoure’, The Honest Mistakes, and special guest Dena.

The StandTogetherJam2010 concert event begins at 4pm. Foothills PAC will present a 9/11 Observance Ceremony beginning at 2pm.

The Daily Star is a partner in the benevolent, community concert event and will be on-site at STJ’10 collecting needed items for our troops deployed abroad.

The StandTogetherJam2010 event is receiving additional promotional support from WSKG, the CNY Radio Group, and from WRIP 97.9fm (Hunter, NY). Next Tuesday, 9/07, WRIP will broadcast a special STJ’10 episode of it popular program “Local Licks,” featuring host Sonny Rock. The program will feature live performances by STJ’10 event artists Chris Merkley (Digger Jones), and John Scarpulla, as well as recorded music by other STJ’10 performing artists and guest host Todd Russell (Esquela). The program begins at 6pm, streams live at wrip979.com, and will likely include more STJ’10 personalities by show time.

STJ’10 is made possible, in part, by a grant from the O’Connor Foundation, as well as the through the efforts and generosity of Bovina Records, Brewery Ommegang, Mansion Audio Recording Studio, HMS Music Supply, Foothills PAC, and Clean Green Music.

Food and drinks (full bar) will be available throughout the STJ’10 event.

Please visit answerthecall.org and donate to the New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund.

For more information on StandTogetherJam2010, please visit Clean Green Music at reverbnation/cleangreenmusic, and Foothills PAC at foothillspac.org.

Majestic Entertainment, NJ’s premier entertainment company, announced today that it will host a 9/11 benefit comedy show and fundraiser at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Somerset, New Jersey on Saturday, September 11, 2010. All event proceeds will go to the New York Police & Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund (The Benefit Fund), which provides much needed financial aid and support to families of fallen heroes.

The benefit comedy show’s headliner will be 16-year old Pete Davidson from Staten Island, who lost his father, Scott Davidson, on September 11, 2001. Davidson was a firefighter for Ladder Co. 118 in Brooklyn Heights and was a first responder at the World Trade Center site. “Pete is a really inspiring kid and is pursuing his dream of becoming a stand-up comic. This is a great opportunity for him to honor his father and do what he loves. We are happy to help him and all families who have been affected by tragedy,” said organizer, Julian Romero of Majestic Entertainment.   The comedy show will also feature veteran comedian Matt Bridgestone with special appearances by Dan Simms, Ken Burmeister, Buda and Craig Loydgren. For tickets and information on how you can help, visit: www.911Benefit.com or call the box office at 908.799.8294. Tickets are $15.00 in advance and $20.00 at the door.

This year we paid tribute to the four living mayors of New York, learn how each has had a genuine commitment to the Benefit Fund. Rusty and Stephen also share the information about next year when we gather for the 25th Annual Benefit Fund Dinner.

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We continue with our podcasts spotlighting our Board Members.  This podcast is with one of our senior board members Mr. Joseph Coppotelli. Joe shares with us his recollection of the early days of the benefit fund.  We discuss the importance of supporting the widows and families of  those have given their lives for the citizens of New York City.  We hope you enjoy the podcast and we encourage your comments.

In this series of podcasts we continue our outreach to the general public to help support the Benefit Fund.  Thank you to all of our supporters who know how important it is to take care of the families of those who unselfishly protect the people of New York City every day.

We welcome your comments and suggestions.  Feel fee to leave a comment on the blog or you can email us at 212-735-4505.

Mr. Schloss is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Castle Holdings, LLC,
a middle market private equity firm that he co-founded in 2004. Mr. Schloss was previously
Global Head of Private Equity at Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB) and a member of the
CSFB Executive Committee.
Prior to CSFB’s November 2000 acquisition of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ), Mr. Schloss
was Chairman of DLJ’s Merchant Banking business. Mr. Schloss joined DLJ in 1978 as an investment
banker focused on leveraged finance and energy and was a founding partner of DLJ’s leveraged buyout
principal investing activities in 1985.
Mr. Schloss is a member of the Board of Directors of Performance Management Equity, LLC,
the private equity affiliate of General Motors Investment Management Co., a member of the Board
of Directors of MF Group, a NYSE listed financial services company and is the former Chairman of the President’s Council of Tulane University and currently serves on the Board of Trustees. Mr. Schloss has also previously been a member of the
Boards of Directors of several public and private companies. He received a B.A. from Tulane University
in 1976 and received an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1978.

Mr. Neary joined the Benefit Fund in late 2005. He became involved because of his admiration for
New York City Police Officers and Fire Fighters and their valiant service to the city. He was born
in Ireland and is the son of a policeman. He graduated from St John’s University with a BBA in
Accounting and has an MBA from Fordham University. He is also a CPA.
Mr. Neary recently retired after twenty years as Executive Director of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP,
one of the world’s largest and leading law firms. Prior to that he was the Chief Financial and
Administrative Officer of Hill and Knowlton Inc., a large Public Relations firm. He started his career
at Ernst & Young as an auditor after completing his service in the USMC.
Mr. Neary is a member of the Board of Trustees of the College of Mount Saint Vincent and is
a member of the Board of a Local Development Corporation connected to The Harbor for
Boys and Girls in Harlem, NY. He is a Past President of the New York Athletic Club and was
a long time member of the club’s Board of Governors.
Mr. Neary has been married to his wife, Joan, for over forty years and has two children and
two grandchildren.

Mr. Ehrlich joined the New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund, from it’s inception
in 1985. He became active in the Benefit Fund because he felt that it was extremely important for
us to reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Port Authority Police
Officers and EMS professionals and to assist the families of these great heroes.
As Vice President, Mr. Ehrlich coordinates the Annual Benefit Dinner and the Picnic at Shea Stadium.

Mr. Ehrlich serves on the Board of the Mayor’s Committee for Adult communities in Monroe
Township New Jersey, Vice President of the Monroe H.S. Scholarship Fund, Board Member of
the Bnai Brith of Middlesex County, Vice President of the Senior Condo Olympics of Middlesex
and Monmouth Counties and a volunteer at Centre State Medical Center of Freehold Township.
Mr. Ehrlich received his BA Degree from CCNY (City College of New York). He was employed
by the investment firm of Salomon Brothers for almost 40 years, retiring in 1998. He has been
married to his wife, Linda, for over 45 years, has two children and five grandchildren.

Mark Messier at the Madison Square Garden Tribute

In our second podcast we sit down with Mark Messier, member of the Board of Directors and 2008 Benefit Fund Dinner Honoree. Join us, as Mark talks about his decision to become involved with the charity.

Listen in as we discuss how the tragic events of September 11, 2001 ultimately united New Yorkers and influenced decisions made by the New York Rangers and the NHL on when to resume playing hockey. Mark tells the story of the tribute to the first responders before a Ranger game at Madison Square Garden. Find out the special message that Mark Messier has for all New York Ranger Fans.

Mark Messier at the WTC site

Recognized as one of the greatest leaders of all sports, Messier is the only professional athlete to Captain two different teams to championships. As Captain of the New York Rangers in 1994, his leadership became legendary. With his team down three games to two against the New Jersey Devils, Messier guaranteed victory. He delivered, scoring a natural hat trick, leading his team to a 4-2 victory and forcing a seventh and final Eastern Conference game. He went on to lead the New York Rangers to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years and is now regarded in the same company as New York sports icons Babe Ruth and Joe Namath. Known throughout the sporting world simply as the “Captain”, Messier’s number “11”was retired and raised to the rafters by the New York Rangers and the Edmonton Oilers. Then, on November 12, 2007, Messier was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, taking his rightful place next to game’s greatest legends.

Thanks for listening.

Rusty shares how he got the idea for the Benefit Fund. Stephen Dannhauser explains why the future of the charity is so important.

When a Fire Fighter or Police Officer falls in the line of duty, New York is diminished. But it’s the family that pays the price. For over 25 years, the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund has stepped up to help these families. Immediately after the death of a First Responder, the Benefit Fund delivers the family a check to help them through the uncertain times such a tragedy can bring. After the initial crisis, the Benefit Fund provides each family with ongoing assistance through special events, financial support and a network of friends ready to lend a hand. It’s the least we can do. First responders risk their lives trying to make New York City a better place for us to live and work. the Benefit Fund gives New Yorkers an opportunity to say “Thank You” to the families of those who make the ultimate sacrifice. **More than 90 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the families of Fire Fighters, Police Officers, Port Authority and Emergency Medical Services personnel killed in the line of duty.

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Stephen Dannhauser and Rusty Staub

Rusty Staub, Robert Allen and Stephen Dannhauser

Since the Benefit Fund’s inception in 1985 by Daniel J. “Rusty” Staub, the Benefit Fund has distributed over $114 million to the families of New York Police and Fire Fighters who have been killed in the line of duty. Though the Benefit Fund was initially created to assist families of New York City Fire Fighters and Police Officers, the Benefit Fund now includes the families of Emergency Medical Services and Port Authority Officers as well. In 1987 the Benefit Fund provided 320 families with annual financial assistance and by 2009, the same commitment was made to nearly 700 families. The need has certainly grown, but the Benefit Fund’s mission remains pure: help children and spouses who lost a loved one in the line of duty, charged with the task of keeping our families safe.