Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund Comedy Show

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Firefighters experience a large amount of stress. One healthy way to "let off some steam" is to have a few laughs. That is what the April 22, 2010 Terry Farrell Comedy Show in La Jolla, California was all about, along with the chance to help fellow firefighters.

The Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund was established in memory of Terry Farrell, a member of Rescue 4/FDNY and Chief of the Dix Hills Volunteer Fire Department.  Terry, along with 342 of his brothers, perished on September 11, 2001 in the World Trade Center attack, according to the Terry Farrell Fund Web Site.

Brad Bihun, with the Escondido Fire Department and member of the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund California stated the night of the show, "There's three headliners tonight. They do anywhere from fifteen to twenty minutes and the main headliner will get a half hour for the show."

All of the comedians were headliners from weekend shows and participated in the comedy show for free. Comedian Ari Shaffir remarks, "It's a good cause. We'll do benefits for anyone. If it's a benefit for the worst organization of all time, we would do a benefit for it. As long as it's a good audience. No matter where the firefighters are, I'd be happy to help you."

The Board of Directors for the Terry Farrell Fund California, Jim Colston explains, "One hundred percent of the door fee goes to the Terry Farrell Fund. That is a huge contribution from the Comedy Store here in La Jolla." Another way the fund made money at the comedy event was by holding a raffle with many great prizes and selling their new hats and t-shirts. One hundred percent of that money went to the fund as well. Also on sale was the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund California Firehouse Cookbook.

The Firefighter Fund began as a $500 scholarship fund in the New York area. "It's now a national program with chapters in California, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Washington, Nebraska, and we're still continuing to grow. The mission of the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund of California is to raise money that stays in California for any line of duty deaths or injuries to firefighters," adds Colston. The Terry Farrell Fund also raises money for scholarships and equipment that fire departments can't afford to purchase themselves.

Jim Colston claimed that the Terry Farrell Fund was established in the fall of last year (2009) and that they have already raised well over $20,000. Each state chapter determines where the money they raise will go. The comedy event itself raised about $1,200 that will help firefighters and their families.

To help support the Terry Farrell Firefighter Fund, you can visit www.terryfarrellfund.org.



Author:Barbara Brooks - Video, Renée Marquart - Text