Friday, June 22, 2012

Heard the Numbers "9/11" a Bit To Much?

Son of FDNY's John Mc Namara at fathers funeral

It is time to step up. There are too many spectators continuing to watch stories of 9/11 continue to unfold. We need more folks to take action--yes, we are asking for your help! --DON'T STOP READING  NOW, PLENTY OF GOOD STUFF BELOW--It has been over 10 years since the tragic events of 9/11 but it is never time to move on from the memory of our fallen heroes and those who are still battling life threatening illnesses from their heroic acts at Ground Zero. 343 FDNY Firefighters were lost on 9/11 and over 800 more Responders have died since then from cancers and respiratory illnesses. FDNY's John Mc Namara was one of them.

You may think that you have heard the numbers "9/11" far too much but just think about the families of the fallen and the 1st Responders, still suffering serious health consequences from their selfless actions working “the pile”—they will NEVER forget!

Moving on from the acts of terrorism and promoting healing is the right thing to do. However, the healing process continues and the need for support is constant. Too many folks still on the sidelines watching with the mentality that they are not directly involved so what is there to do? Wake up call--there is plenty to do and a strong need to move folks off the sidelines and into the battle. If you live in the U.S., you need to be involved. Period.

The 9/11 Patch Project was founded because of four words that were spoken by an FDNY Firefighter at Ground Zero, “Please Don’t Forget Us.” Those words have been acted upon by over 8000 organizations around the world that made a promise with us to NEVER FORGET. They stepped up and made that promise with us by adding one of the 9/11 Patches to their uniforms or one of the 9/11 Decals to their apparatus and vehicles. In participating in the project, they also helped us raise funds for 9/11 related organizations that continue to promote that healing and bridge the tremendous gap of support that the government provides for them.

Without the Feal Good Foundation (FGF) and the relentless activism of founder John Feal, the Zadroga Bill would not have passed through Congress and the Senate. And 50 different types of cancers would not have been added to the bill. By the way, John Feal stepped up big time to support an event you will read about below--he bought the largest sponsorship! Is everyone ok with this? The event is supposed to raise funds for his foundation. That should bring someone off the sidelines!

Without the Terry Farrell Fund (named after fallen FDNY firefighter Terry Farrell) Brian Farrell, his brother and President of the fund, would not be able to support fire organizations in the U.S. who are at risk due to failing or nonexistent apparatus and protective equipment. There would be no scholarships to assist in much needed training and there would be sick and injured firefighters out there left without much needed financial aid. By the way again, Brian stepped up and was the very first to buy a bunch of tickets for the same event that will also benefit his fund. Is that ok with everyone?

Finally, without the NYC Bravest Scholarship Fund, many children of fallen FDNY firefighters would not have the opportunity to afford a formal education. And a third by the way, the FDNY Uniformed Fire Officers (Administers the Scholarship Fund) stepped up and through all their support to the 9/11 Patch Project. If we're good enough for the FDNY, we should have your organizations support too!

Today, selling patches and decals does not raise much money for these critically important funds—especially when they are bought one or two a time by those looking for souvenirs. Arranging fund raising events like our Fully Involved Comedy Tour, does. Last year with the help of FireCareers.com, our 10 Yr 9/11 Manhattan to Manhattan Tour raised nearly $20,000 that was equally split between the organizations mentioned above. These fund raising events do work!

So move on from the tragedy of 9/11 but join us in our eternal pledge to NEVER FORGET the heroes of 9/11 and those sick and injured that continue to need our support. It may be American to be resilient but it is not very American to forget those who are still sick and may die soon. It is also not very American to forget the hundreds of 1st Responders that gave their lives on 9/11 so that thousands can still be alive today.Of course we are not talking about everyone--many have stepped up but many others are perfectly happy to let them get involved while they look on.

The economy is tough for everyone. Understanding that everyone has a threshold on what they are able to contribute, the 9/11 Patch Project has provided many levels of giving that can fit anyone’s budget—anyone. It may mean replacing something you do with your family for a night but the feeling of contribution should result in a much better feeling for you and your family. Here are the different levels of support we offer on our website—please make a commitment today and choose to get involved. Help us make a difference:

9/11 WALL: Add your name for as little as $9.11 or 3X that to add your web link with your name

Fully Involved Comedy Tour with Ralphie May & Mike Lombardi: Buy a ticket or two. If you can’t make it, gift it to a friend that can.

9/11 Patches & Decals: Outfit your entire organization with them—make it your organizations promise to never forget.

Life Time Sponsor: It’s the cheapest sponsorship on the block and it gives your company/organization tremendous bang for your buck. Most important--you make a very visible commitment of support everywhere we go!

On behalf of the Feal Good Foundation, the Terry Farrell Fund, the NYC Bravest Scholarship Fund and the 9/11 Patch Project Fund, we thank you in advance for stepping up and helping in any way that you can.

1 comment:

  1. There should be a constant reminder of what happened on 9/11 and a constant support to those that have suffered or lost loved ones. It's important the nations pull together to prevent anything like this happening again.

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