Winding Down

On December 31st, 2012, the 9/11 Patch Project Store will be closing. This comes after 11 years of providing the 9/11 Patches, Decals and other fund raising items. With sales slowing to a crawl the past couple of years, it is evident that many people and organizations are not interested in making the patches or decals their promise to NEVER FORGET.

We understand there are people and organizations that have made the patches and decals their permanent tribute and will provide them the opportunity to stock up on any items for the next few weeks. You can still purchase these and other items on the website HERE, until December 31st of 2012 or at Firehouse World, in San Diego on February 20-21 (exhibit hall-- at the San Diego Convention Center.)

The Future of the 9/11 Patch Project: As for the patches and other merchandise, we will re-evaluate in one year and if the demand returns, we may reopen to provide the items. There are just not enough organizations interested in participating as a group anymore. Filling orders for single patches and decals is very time consuming and does not produce much in the way of donations. For example; we have to order patches at a minimum of 100 and there are 4 different patches. That is a $250 to $300 cost per patch for us each time we reorder, and folks are only buying them a couple at a time for keepsakes. By the time we recover the costs of the merchandise, we have to reorder again--so we are constantly chasing the inventory. That was not the case in the first 6 months of the project as organizations were coming on board with the project at 100-500 patches per order. That is how we initially raised $15,000 to donate to the FDNY's Uniformed Firefighters Association in September of 2002.

What does help us with fund raising are the projects we develop like the 10 Yr 9/11 Manhattan to Manhattan Tour and the Fully Involved Comedy Tour. The cross country bus tour netted about $6300 for each charity we support (NYC Bravest Scholarship Fund, Feal Good Foundation and Terry Farrell Fund) and the success in fund raising for the Fully Involved Comedy Tours is yet to be seen. Sponsorships are vital to pull of the event in San Diego and we just don't have enough organizations coming forward to help out. So this is an ongoing concern as well.

MT SAC Fire Academy- Wearing 9/11 Patch since 2002

Patch Project Founders Thoughts (Brett Hill): 11 years is a long time to continue beating the NEVER FORGET drum. The sounds are still very audible for those deeply effected and becoming faint as the years pass; even for newer firefighters who don't feel the connection despite the fact that 9/11 and the loss of 343 firefighters is now a significant part of firefighting history. We are a resilient nation and we suffer losses and move one. The 9/11 Patch Project was formed to honor and remember these heroes while raising funds for worthy 9/11 organizations. As powerful and deeply emotional as this event in our history was, many have just moved on.

Can we sustain with the fund raising Comedy Tours? There is obviously nothing funny about 9/11 but top comedians coming together for great causes just makes sense. Laughter is great medicine and it helps us heal--the potential to raise a good deal of funds on behalf of those who show up, is a great result.

So if you have purchased the decals or patches in the past, now is a great time to replenish your stock. If you want one of the signed and numbered "Ground Zero Spirit" photos taken by Thomas E. Franklin, now is the time to pick up one of only 911 signed. I have filled most of the 10,000 plus orders over the years and would love to continue that work but it seems as if the people have spoken. I need to evolve the project or move on. How successful we are with the fund raising tours in the future, is once again "up to the people."

Thanks to all the supporters out there that have kept us and our promise to NEVER FORGET going these past 11 years!

Giving Tuesday?

Just got back from a long days work at one of the 4 part time jobs that actually supports my family and I feel as if I have missed yet another opportunity to reach out to folks in hopes to get continued support for the 9/11 Patch Project.

11 years is a long time to run a project that asks folks to remember the heroes of 9/11 and needs donations to keep afloat- especially when there are other equally worthy funds to send money to. Obviously the one that comes to mind is those in need--those who continue to suffer and feel the effects of the Super Storm Sandy on the East Coast.

Still, as the largest firefighter owner 9/11 project in the world, I feel it is my duty to continue beating this drum and breathe life into this worthy project for as long as I possibly can. After all, there are over 10,000 organizations now, worldwide, that have stepped up the past 11 years to purchase the fund raising 9/11 patches and other items. And yes, there is an occasional donation that hits the website--I consider those donations to this non profit effort a rare but greatly appreciated gift. Usually those who step up, do so at the tune of $9.11 to get their name added to the 9/11 WALL of Supporters. I have not counted the names lately, but I believe the count to be over 200 since the WALL began over a year ago. They are names from people, public safety organizations and even companies from all over the world. The 9/11 WALL was created for those who wanted to step up and be counted among the supporters of this project that was originally the response of this firefighter to the loss of 343 brother firefighters.

Belgian Firefighter "Bob"

The project grew over the years to include the sacrifice made by Police Officers, EMS personnel and our U.S. Soldiers. It wasn't the marketing efforts that brought these other heroes into the project--it was deployed U.S. troops and other public safety heroes stepping up to participate in the project on their own. It was firefighters in other countries stepping up to say, there are no borders or politics involved here--there is only a brotherhood of heroes that span the globe and want to remember and honor the fallen heroes of 9/11.

This has fueled my efforts over the years and given me the motivation to grow the project. This picture of a Belgian Firefighter tells a story in itself. It proves that 9/11 truly affected the lives of millions around the globe. They want to step up and be counted, and thousands have over the years.

So on this "Giving Tuesday," I can only hope that the spirit of giving will motivate more folks to continue and step up to be counted. I can only hope that others who come to the Never Forget 9/11 facebook page take the time to learn more about this effort and consider at least a $9.11 donation and get their name added to the 9/11 WALL

Thanks to all who have read this far and thanks to the hundreds if not thousands of you out there that have stepped up to show your support--it means a great deal to me and the other 10 folks I work with that volunteer there time and efforts for this project.

Brett Hill- Founder/ Former Firefighter-Paramedic
9/11 Patch Project

Adam Ferrara Hosts 9/11 Charitable Event

As Top Gear host, Rescue Me star and comedian with several Comedy Central specials, Adam Ferrara is a busy man. But not too busy to host a 9/11 charitable event on behalf of the 9/11 Patch Project.

Adam is set to take the stage at the House of Blues in San Diego on behalf of the Feal Good Foundation, NYC Bravest Scholarship Fund, Terry Farrell Fund and the 9/11 Patch Project Fund. The event will be held on February 20th with two comedy shows for an expected audience of 500 per show. The event is called the "Fully Involved Comedy Tour," and is the 2nd stop following comedian Ralphie May's hit shows in Baltimore, back in July.

Adam is no stranger to the 9/11 Patch Project. His friendship with our Director of Events & Marketing helped him become interested and involved with our fund raising efforts.

When Adam is not filming episodes of Top Gear he is hitting comedy clubs across the country. One of his best shows is a Comedy Central hit called "Funny as Hell," and he is! Adam has also appeared on the Jay Leno Tonight Show several times.

The shows in San Diego are being held in conjunction with the Firehouse World show and are open to the general public. All the net proceeds from ticket sales will be equally split between the four 9/11 charities.

The 9/11 Patch Project is currently searching for a "Title Sponsor" for both shows. This sponsorship gives the sponsor naming rights to the show, sponsor name on the House of Blues Marque, large logo on stage back drop banner, large logo on cover of show program, large logo on booth banner at the Firehouse World show and many other benefits. More on this sponsorship and others at this LINK.

To pull off a show of this magnitude and insure there are significant funds raised, sponsorships are vital. Please consider becoming one of our sponsors for this great event and we'll make sure your organization gets the promotion it deserves; you help us--we'll help you!

For those that want to attend the event, tickets are now on sale at TicketMaster and the House of Blues.

New Never Forget 9/11 Decal

In honor of the 11th anniversary of 9/11, the new "Never Forget 9/11" car decal was recently released by the 9/11 Patch Project

The decal is a larger 5" round decal made with 3M decal material. The decal is fade resistant and will not harden or ruin a painted surface. This means the decal will work great on the outside of a vehicle or apparatus window and also on any painted surface.

The artwork for the decal comes from Las Vegas Firefighter and artist, Allan Albaitis. Allan is also the owner of FireArt and has put out some incredible graphics and paintings over the years.

 This is also the first time that the 9/11 Patch Project has utilized artwork from an artist or company outside of the project. The decals are $6 each and can be purchased by following this link: 9/11 Patch Project Store.

Here is a picture that shows the decal on a vehicle as well as the scale or size compared to our other 9/11 Decals:

In addition to privately owned vehicles, the decal makes a great 9/11 Tribute for your fire department apparatus.

This decal adds to the 9/11 Patch Project's fund raising items. More about where the proceeds go HERE.

Powerful Example of Making a Difference

Donation Drive Headed by TheBattalion.TV

I met David Furtado about a year ago when his company, TheBattalion.TV, became one of the 9/11 Patch Project's $911 Sponsors. What I found fascinating about David was his dedication to showing America what the nation's firefighters do on a daily basis, many times out of his own pocket. Not only did he create over 120 edited videos with voiceovers during 24 hour ride-a-alongs in America, but he also went to Canada, Mexico and other countries to do the same.

It was during his ride out with Mexicali Fire that Furtado discovered there was more to do that showcase the work of Mexicali Firefighters--they were working in unsafe conditions and were in desperate need of basic firefighting equipment.

Furtado found that if firefighters could not afford to buy their own gear, they didn't have it. Firefighters were working with holes in their boots and less than safe bunker gear. Even some pre-connected fire attack lines on the engines did not have nozzles.

So Furtado stepped up and created a nationwide drive to acquire donated gear from departments across America so that Mexicali Firefighters could do their job safely. His efforts yielded donations from the following organizations:

• 35 sets donated by Westampton Township Emergency Services in Westampton New Jersey
• 15 sets of  bunker gear donated by Prince Georges County Fire and EMS
• 50 sets of gear from Vince Moffitt from Farmington Colorado
• 21 Sets of gear from the FOOLS Organization and they are continuing the drive.
• 50 sets from Chestermiere Fire Service from Chestermere, AB, Canada

At the 9/11 Patch Project, we applaud the efforts of David Furtado and TheBattalion.tv and hope that others will step up and help organizations like Mexicali Fire do the best work they can utilizing gear that helps keep them safe. To get involved click HERE

Thanks David!

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!