9-11 Patch Project Hits Twelve Year Mark

2001 Unveiling of new 9-11 Patch to honor the FDNY 343

December 15th, 2013, marked the 12th anniversary of the 9-11 Patch Project. As the photo shows, the design for a uniform patch that 1st Responders could wear to honor the fallen, was unveiled to the FDNY Thank You America Tour, as it ended in Pasadena, California.

6 FDNY bike riders from the Bowery's 33-Engine, who lost 12 of their own, made this 2800 mile trip across America to thank American's for their outpouring of love and support. Their tour ended in Pasadena (west coast) about 1 mile from the 9-11 Patch Project founders station.

Aligning the project with the FDNY and getting their blessing was founder Brett Hill's 1st priority. Two months from the date of this ceremony and when the photo was taken, December 15th, the project began taking orders from fire departments and other organizations around the nation. Orders for the patch would come in to the Valencia project headquarters at 25-50 per day for about 6 months. By the 1st anniversary date of September 11 or 9-11-02, $15,000 arrived in the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters office. This was the net proceeds of selling the $3 patches.

Over the past 12 years, the project grew to include all 1st Responders and our U.S. Military. To date, there are over 10,000 organizations in 30 countries participating. The project also added other patches, decals, a challenge coin, memorial shield and other memorial items.

Beyond the fund raising from the merchandise, other events were held to benefit charities like The Bravest

Scholarship Fund, Terry Farrell Fund and the Feal Good Foundation. The 10 yr 9-11 Manhattan to Manhattan Tour, with FireCareers as the major sponsor, was a large 9-11 Bus that traveled from Manhattan Beach in California to Manhattan NY in 9 months. The tour brought about awareness of the 10 year mark and raised funds at the 275 stops in 30 U.S. States.

The Fully Involved Comedy Tour, featuring comedian Ralphie May, was held in Baltimore during the Firehouse Expo in July of 2012.

Today, with 9-11 a little over 12 years behind us, the 9-11 Patch Project continues to perpetuate the memory of the fallen heroes of 9-11 and raise funds whenever possible. It's tough to keep this project in the minds of folks twelve years later, but the 9-11 Patch Project continues to do it's best. Without the support of so many out there, we would not be around today.

In closing, our latest event is a fund raiser to give the 9-11 Patches to all 11,000 members of the FDNY. This will cost about $15,000 and we are on our way with $983 raised by 23 donors in the past 20 days. With thousands around the world wearing the patch, it makes sense to include the very firefighters who's tragic loss on that day became the inspiration for this project. We don't want any of them to have to pay for these patches. Those who step up are rewarded with patches and challenge coins and their names will go in each patch donation letter that is sent to the FDNY. If you'd like to be part of this great event, please follow this link: http://www.gofundme.com/5gneuk 

Thanks to all of you who have supported this project so many years! We appreciate you all as I'm sure the families of the fallen heroes do. More about the project HERE

Escape Artist | Hilarious Comedian | Silent Auction

Firehouse Expo & 9/11 Patch Project's Fully Involved Comedy Tour will be a huge night in Baltimore! Starting at 6pm, on July 19th, we will start off the night with a huge Silent Auction, hosted by BW Unlimited--featuring signed Sports Memorabilia, unsigned items, jewelry, gift baskets, travel packages and  much more. 100% of the proceeds of the auction and the show, will benefit the Feal Good Foundation, Terry Farrell Fund, NYC Bravest Scholarship Fund and the 9/11 Patch Project Fund.

Around 7:30, amazing escape artist Spencer Horsman, seen recently on America's Got Talent, will open the show with a death defying escape! As the youngest escape artist in the world, at 26, Spencer has already thrilled millions of TV viewers by escaping the giant jaws of a bear trap while hanging 20 feet above the stage in a straight jacket and also escaped drowning by freeing himself from a locked water tank while holding his breath. What will he do on stage in Baltimore? You don't want to miss this!!

Finally, our headline act was a former contestant on Last Comic Standing, and has already had four specials on Comedy Central. Ralphie’s record breaking fourth Comedy Central special, “Too Big to Ignore” aired March 4.Voted one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch, Ralphie May spreads his comedic wealth further than ever by tackling topics that will make you think and occasionally squirm. With no subject off limits, Ralphie dives in and reveals the hilarious quirks that infiltrate politics, race and even his family. Lovable enough to get away with anything, Ralphie continues to capture the hearts of thousands on his sold out tours and promises to make you gleefully uncomfortable.

The Fully Involved Comedy Tour is an official event of the Baltimore Firehouse Expo and is also open to the public. With only 4 days left, grab your tickets while you can HERE. Special thanks to our Gold Event Sponsor is the Feal Good Foundation.

Night of Comedy to Benefit Four 9/11 Charities

July 19th, 2012, at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center, comedian Ralphie May will star in the Fully Involved Comedy Tour. There are two shows, one at 8pm and the other at 10:30p. Tickets are available HERE.

This is a special show co-produced by Firehouse Expo an the 9/11 Patch Project and will raise funds for the Feal Good Foundation, Terry Farrell Fund, NYC Bravest Scholarship Fund and the 9/11 Patch Project Fund. The event is part of the Firehouse Expo convention and exhibit in Baltimore and also open to the public.

Come help us raise funds for some great 9/11 Charities and get entertained by a great popular comedian at the same time. There will also be a Silent Auction outside the ballroom that will open at 6pm. There will be some great sports memorabilia and other awesome items there to bid on. This auction is also part of the fund raising for the (4) 9/11 Charities so please head out early to participate.

Please pass this on to all Firehouse Expo participants and residents of Baltimore. The event is 10 days away--let's sell this great event out.

Thank you!

John Feal Steps up for Fully Involved Comedy Tour

John Feal- Founder, Feal Good Foundation

"Then John did something that blew me away. He asked what the largest sponsorship was and then committed to be the first to buy one. I quickly responded by saying, John, this is a fund raiser for the Feal Good Foundation...how can we take your sponsorship money?"

From injured demolition expert at Ground Zero, to activist and advocate for the 40,000 injured or sick that worked the pile at GZ. "No 1st Responders Left Behind," is the tag line of the Feal Good Foundation, created by John Feal in 2005. It's not just a catchy tag line but rather, it completely describes the lengths that the FGF went to in order to insure the Zadroga Bill passed though Congress and the Senate. And most recently, to insure 50 different cancers were covered under the bill.

As the founder of one of our nation's 9/11 Projects, I met John over two years ago--during the heat of the battle. With the purpose of the 9/11 Patch Project to remember the hero's of 9/11 and raise funds for 9/11 related charities, it was a no  brainer to add the FGF to our short donor list. Although we have raised only a drop in the bucket for his foundation, we recently teamed up with Firehouse Expo to bring a night of comedy and rock to their three national Expo's (Baltimore, New Orleans and San Diego) with our main purpose to raise funds for the Feal Good Foundation and two other 9/11 charities.

I spoke to John a couple of days ago to catch up. We talked about the show and some of the difficulties in getting companies to come forward. Many were opting out due everything from the economy to concerns over the image of their company. Then John did something that blew me away. He asked what the largest sponsorship was and then committed to be the first to buy one. I quickly responded by saying, "John, this is a fund raiser for the Feal Good Foundation...how can we take your sponsorship money?"

John is very straight forward and always means what he says. He has already proven by his actions these past 7 years that if he is going to do something...no one can stop him! So, reluctantly I agreed but with the goals to multiply his money and give it right back during the show in Baltimore. I truly want to do that for him and the great work he has done all these years.

Question is, if John will step up and make such a large commitment to an event that is for his Feal Good Foundation, who else out there will step up and follow his lead? Ticketed events with headliner comedians like Ralphie May and hosts like Rescue Me's Mike Lombardi, should have no problem selling out. What company would not want to put their name with such a great event that will potentially raise thousands for great organizations like John's, the NYC Bravest Scholarship Fund and the Terry Farrell Fund?

John is a remarkable man but he is not wealthy. For him, it is about principal and spending money where he feels it is needed. He stepped up when others wouldn't because he felt it was the right thing to do and that is his character. Who else out there will step up and help make sure this fund raising event is as much a success as it needs to be?

My challenge to all exhibitors at the Firehouse Expo or any companies in Baltimore, is to step up and be counted. Most of you will get tickets for this show as it is also the official entertainment for the event--you will most likely be going anyway. Maybe it is unrealistic for some of you to come up with the bucks that John did, but you can afford to be one of our $911 Lifetime Sponsors. Nothing would make me happier than to turn around and multiply John's gift during our event in Baltimore. And nothing would make John, myself and the others that are working to make this event a huge success, more proud, than to look out and see the logos of companies that stepped up, printed on huge banners hanging near the stage.

 Exhibitors and companies of Baltimore...it's your move!

Comedian Ralphie May Comes to Baltimore to Benefit 9/11 Charities

Ralphie May- Headliner

Comedy Central sensation and one of the top new comedians to watch, Ralphie May, will star with Rescue Me's Mike "Probie" Lombardi, in a night of comedy and rock that will raise funds for (4) 9/11 related charities.

The "Fully Involved Comedy/Rock Tour," event is co-produced by Firehouse Expo and the 9/11 Patch Project and will be at the Baltimore Convention Center on July 19th, with doors opening at 6:30p. Also, Mike Lombardi will be the host and his band will also play during the evening. Click HERE to listen to a message from Mike about the event.

This special fund raising event will benefit the NYC Bravest Scholarship Fund, the Terry Farrell Fund, the Feal Good Foundation and the 9/11 Patch Project Fund.

This event is Baltimore is also open to the public and we'd like to invite all folks who will be in the Baltimore area or attending the Firehouse Expo to come out and be part of this great night with us!

Table sponsorships and other sponsor opportunities are available by contacting our Rob Kaiser (Dir. of Events and Marketing for the 9/11 Patch Project).