Chloe Ching, Director of Client Engagement Marketing, Deutsche Bank and 2013 Volunteer of the Year Award recipient; Lauren Profeta, Assistant Director of Development, Benefit Fund; Arielle Lenza Di Ciollo, Director of Development, Benefit Fund; Brian Cassidy, Vice President, Client Promotion, Deutsche Bank and 2013 Volunteer of the Year Award recipient.

Photo by: Ivan Tutiven

THE NEW YORK POLICE AND FIRE WIDOWS’
AND CHILDREN’S BENEFIT FUND

HOSTS 2^nd ANNUAL VOLUNTEER PARTY

            On December 18, 2013, the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund hosted its Second Annual Volunteer Party at Palantir Technologies in Manhattan. The families of fallen first responders, supporters and friends gathered to celebrate the year-round dedication of the Benefit Fund’s hard-working volunteers. Arielle Lenza Di Ciollo, Director of Development for the Benefit Fund, greeted the guests and expressed her appreciation for their commitment and steadfast support.

            “This evening, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the extraordinary volunteers who are always there to ‘Answer the Call,’ making it possible for the Benefit Fund to provide financial assistance to the families of fallen New York City Police Officers, Firefighters, Port Authority Police and EMS personnel,” said Arielle. “We can’t thank you enough for your commitment to our organization and to our beneficiary families.”

            At the event, Arielle presented the 2013 Volunteer of the Year Award to Chloe Ching, Director of Client Engagement Marketing, Deutsche Bank, and Brian Cassidy, Vice President, Client Promotion, Deutsche Bank, for their outstanding dedication to the Benefit Fund. “Chloe and Brian have shown unwavering support over the past years,” said Arielle, “They have been a blessing to our organization, showing all of us what it really means to give back to those who keep us and our City safe.”

            Special guests for the evening included beneficiaries Patricia Gillespie, Lindenhurst, New York resident and wife of fallen NYPD Officer Kevin Gillespie and Margaret Mosomillo, Astoria, Queens resident and wife of fallen NYPD Officer Anthony Mosomillo. These women, who lost their husbands within two years of each other, met through the Benefit Fund and have since formed an inseparable bond. For Margaret, the Benefit Fund has played an immeasurable role in her life. “Even though it has been 15 years, it still brings tears to my eyes every time I receive a check from the Benefit Fund,” said Margaret. “It is not about the amount, but just that they remember us, it’s a symbol that we are not forgotten.”

            Other beneficiary guests included Carmen Suarez, Glendale, New York resident, whose husband, Police Officer Ramone Suarez, was killed in the line of duty on September 11^thand Marcela Leahy, Staten Island resident and widow of Police Officer James Leahy, who passed away on September 11^th. Carmen and Marcela did not know each other before they lost their husbands, but have since become very close friends, even vacationing together with their families. Martha Williams, of Teaneck, New Jersey, who lost her husband, Fireman Johnnie Williams, on October 29, 1974, has been a beneficiary for nearly 30 years, and still makes an effort to participate in any events hosted by the Benefit Fund.

Founded in 1985 by Daniel J. “Rusty” Staub, the Benefit Fund currently serves over 600 families.  Last year, the Benefit Fund distributed over $2.5 million to the families of fallen first responders.  The need has grown, but the mission remains the same: “Never Forget” those that put the safety of others before their own.  The Benefit Fund takes pride in “answering the call” as our fallen heroes have done to protect our city, courageously sacrificing their lives so we can live and work in a safer community.