HEATHER CASPI
Firehouse.Com News
Los Angeles County, California firefighters are undertaking a massive
project to do "something special" for the families of New York rescue
workers killed on September 11.
They have worked for months to obtain enough donations to offer each
family a week-long vacation in Southern California this summer with
all expenses paid or waived for transportation, lodging, meals and
tons of entertainment.
The idea was born after 800 LACoFD members went to New York on their
own time and expense to help out in the wake of the 9/11 disaster.
While there, the firefighters became very close with FDNY as they
helped console them and search for their fallen brothers.
The firefighters organized additional trips out to New York to visit
at the firehouses and attend funerals. But after coming home again
they still wanted to do more.
"I called and said what else can we do," said Capt. Gary Walsh, the
project chairman. "And they said if you're gonna do something, do
something special for the families."
The vacations have been offered to the widows and children under age
24 of all 343 fallen FDNY firefighters, the 23 families of fallen New
York Police Department officers, and the 37 families of fallen New
York Port Authority Police officers.
"It's a huge undertaking," Walsh said. He estimated that if all 409
families came out with five members each, and needed to pay for
everything, the project would cost $2.7 million.
Instead, the project called "Los Angeles County Firefighters Honor
FDNY," is working to obtain donated airfares, hotel rooms, ground
transportation, meals, theme park admissions, and entry to concerts,
sports events, private beaches, surfing lessons, fishing boats and
various other entertainments.
"We have more things for these families to do than they could
possibly do in a week," Walsh said.
The organizers say this project is unique from other monetary
donations or vacation offers because it is aimed at helping the
families heal. It also has a very personal nature because of the bond
between the two fire departments. "That's why I think our project is
different," said LACoFD Communications Manager Kristina Hajjar.
Each family will be met at the airport by an "ambassador" from the
LACoFD who can guide them through their visit, and each week there
will be a private reception to welcome them. Families may even choose
to stay with an LA firefighter's family instead of at a hotel.
The project, spearheaded by Captains Gary Walsh and Ted Garcia, is
being coordinated by 37 volunteer members of the Los Angeles County
Fire Department and several civilians. They plan to keep running the
program from June through September 11, 2002.
Walsh said it was still unclear how many of the families will be
coming, but he expects to get numbers within a few days. The
invitations were extended to the families through the New York Police
Officers Benevolent Association, the Port Authority Police Benevolent
Association, the United Fire Fighter Association Local 94 and the
Uniformed Fire Officers Association. The unions will be relaying the
responses they get back to the LA project coordinators.
Walsh said he is thrilled with the donations being offered for the
project. However, the coordinators have so far been unable to secure
free air travel and plan to raise the cash for it. However, they are
also looking into some creative solutions, and have been in contact
with the White House and Fed Ex to see if they can help fly the
families out.
Donations of frequent flyer miles, hotel stays, rental cars,
restaurant meals and cash are still needed to launch the project.
Walsh hopes to raise cash donations through the sale of a
commemorative pin. The pins can be purchased for $5 each at the
LACoFD headquarters and at Supercuts hair salons in Southern
California. They can also be purchased in packages of 50 or more by
calling 866-305-2911.
Every 250 pins sold will fly one family from New York to Los Angeles,
said Hajjar.
And unless there is money left over at the end, those organizing the
project aren't going to reimburse themselves for their costs. Walsh
said he has personally spent about $2,000 on the project. If there is
still money left after reimbursements it will go to the Los Angeles
County Firefighters Memorial Committee.
Walsh said the project has been gaining momentum, and the organizers
are excited to see it come together. They expect the first families
to start coming in early June.
"It's been very exciting. We're just really happy to do this for
them," he said.
"Los Angeles County Firefighters Honor FDNY" is an independent
project of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and retains
non-profit status through its affiliation with the Los Angeles County
Firefighters Memorial Committee.
To find out how you can help, please call the toll-free project line
at (866) 305-2911, or call Captain Gary Walsh at (949) 291-1805.
Donations should be made out to "Los Angeles County Firefighters
Honor FDNY," and mailed to 1508 Alexander Court, Brea, California
92821.
