Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund Dinner Dance in Wantagh, NY

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The Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund recently held a gala dinner at the Wantagh Fire Department in New York to raise money for the families of fallen firefighters and fire departments in desperate need of lifesaving equipment.

Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund

The non-profit organization was founded by the family of Terry Farrell, a decorated member of FDNY's Rescue 4 and the Fire Chief of the Dix Hills Volunteer Fire Department who perished on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center.  In the wake of his death, his family, led by brothers Brian Farrell and Tim Farrell, established the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund to honor firefighters across the United States. The organization donates firefighting apparatus and equipment to fire departments in need, and they also provide money for scholarships and medical services to families of active, retired, and fallen firefighters across the nation.

Tim Farrell explains, "My brothers and I got together and decided to do something good for somebody else.  So that's what we're doing.  9 years later we're still making money for the Fund." 

Between its New York City Headquarters and several state chapters across the nation, the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund has raised approximately $750,000 for those in need in the firefighting community.  All of the money the organization receives goes directly to fire departments and firefighters' families.

Friends of the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund Dinner Dance

The Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund holds many fundraising events throughout the United States.  The gala dinner held at the Wantagh Fire Department was the first of its kind for the Fund, and was organized by Kathleen Craft and her husband.  Craft explains how the couple began working with the organization, saying, "My husband started to get involved with it, and he had us selling t-shirts down at the beach.  And I said to him, 'We can make more money than just selling t-shirts for $10 a piece.  Why don't we do something worthwhile for the Fund?'"  With that, the Crafts came up with the idea for the "Friends of the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund Dinner Dance".

Attendees were treated to a catered dinner, beverages, a live band, dancing and a performance by the Wantagh American Legion Pipe Band.  Money was raised through the sale of tickets to the dinner, a 50/50 drawing, and raffles, including one for a special Terry Farrell Firefighter Fund Edition gaming chair.  Other prizes included a gift basket and a big screen TV.  All of the prizes and beverages were donated, and the band and catering company's services were also provided free of charge.

The Crafts hoped to make a few thousand dollars for the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund, and plan to make this an annual tradition.

Additional Information

For more information about the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund, visit www.terryfarrellfund.org.

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