NATIONWIDE SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN OF ALL FIRST RESPONDERS—THE HEROES OF TOMORROW

FIRST RESPONDERS CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NATIONWIDE SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN OF ALL FIRST RESPONDERS—THE HEROES OF TOMORROW

Expansion Includes Greater Opportunities For Supporters, New Event Programming, Board Appointments And Revamped Website

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 2, 2019
NEW YORK, New York — The First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), an organization committed to ensuring that the children of first responders receive the resources necessary to help them thrive, has today announced the launch of a broader scope of the organization’s reach and mission. This strategic expansion includes scholarship and grant opportunities being made available nationwide, new event programming including the Spring Benefit, a volunteer ambassador program to encourage regional support, and a revamped website and branding.

Since being formed in 2002, FRCF has supported families of first responders lost or injured in the line of duty by way of college scholarships, emergency grants and family-friendly events such as its signature Thanksgiving Breakfast held annually alongside the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York. In its nineteenth year, the organization will now support the children of all first responders on a national scale with an updated mission of ensuring that they receive the resources necessary to help them thrive and become the heroes of tomorrow.

“Each year an average of 200 first responders perish from fatal occupational injuries, and thousands become permanently disabled, rendering them unable to provide for their families,” said FRCF Founder Alfred Kahn. “We understand the sacrifices first responder families make to ensure our safety, which is why we’re proud to expand our scholarship and grant offerings across the country through the support of our generous partners.”
A strategic plan is in place to positively impact the lives of first responder children nationwide. This plan includes expanding the reach of scholarships and grants to include all states, debuting a new website at www.firstresponderkids.org, and launching an ambassador program that enlists the aid of regional supporters to raise awareness of the organization’s mission and offerings on a local level. In the spirit of this mission, FRCF will host a Spring Benefit at the Central Park Zoo on May 18, 2019, welcoming both adults and children to participate in the day’s festivities. The organization also welcomes Jillian Crane as President of The Board (President, CraneKahn) and Commissioner (Ret.) Daniel L. Stewart as Vice President of The Board (Business Development Manager, Cisco Systems). 

Understanding the broader sacrifices first responder families make to ensure our safety, FRCF is working with departments, businesses, and community organizations to reach children in need of strategic funding, while building a support network of local first responder communities. To date, FRCF has awarded more than $780,000 through 320 college scholarships and emergency grants to first responder families and departments across 37 states. With support from partners including CSX, additional scholarships for the 2018-2019 academic year are now available for eligible candidates nationwide through July 1.

More information on FRCF, including the Spring Benefit and scholarship application process, is available at www.firstresponderkids.org.

Media Contact:
 First Responders Children’s Foundation

Joanna Black   
+1 (646) 912-2681


[email protected]

About First Responders Children’s Foundation

For the past 20 years, First Responders Children’s Foundation has been providing college scholarships to children of first responders who have lost a parent in the line of duty. The Foundation also awards grants to families enduring significant financial hardship and supports programs operated by law enforcement organizations whose purpose is to benefit children or the community in which they live. The Foundation’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade breakfast hosts children and family members of those lost in the line of duty for a free breakfast and front-row view of the Parade so those families can gather and heal during what might otherwise be a stressful holiday. More information can be found at www.1strcf.org. Follow First Responders Children’s Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @1strcf.

Partnership with CSX Transportation to provide College Scholarships and Funding to the First Responder Community

FIRST RESPONDERS CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION LAUNCHES PARTNERSHIP WITH CSX TRANSPORTATION TO PROVIDE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AND FUNDING TO THE FIRST RESPONDER COMMUNITY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 11, 2018
NEW YORK, New York — The First Responders Children’s Foundation, a non-profit established in 2002 dedicated to supporting the families of first responders that are permanently disabled or have died in the line of duty, is proud to launch a new partnership with CSX as part of its CSX Pride in Service initiative. CSX announced the partnership at a launch event on Friday, November 9, 2018, at the company’s headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida.
Co-Executive Director Melinda Donio stated, in reference to the initiative, “We are excited to be selected as a partner on this initiative to work with veterans, active duty military, and first responders, in addition to their families. The event on Friday was an amazing way for us to meet some of the employees of CSX and to engage with them directly on the issues that affect the children of first responders.”

At the launch event, Chase Yancey, First Responder Children’s Foundation scholarship recipient and a freshman at the Tennessee Technological University, shared his personal story about his father, the former Deputy of the Scott County Sheriff’s Department. On November 28, 2003 Yancey’s father was killed in the line of duty.  Donio and Co-Executive Director, Dawne Troupe, expressed that Yancey’s testimonial was reaffirming and empowering of the efforts the foundation has accomplished to date.

CSX’s goal is to positively impact more than 100,000 heroes and their families over the next two years. The First Responders Children’s Foundation is honored to be serving alongside Blue Star Families, Operation Gratitude, Operation Homefront, and Wounded Warrior Project to achieve CSX’s goal.
The Foundation is aligning its goals with the mission of CSX Pride in Service, which aims to connect heroes and their families to their neighbors, resources, support and honor. Troupe said, “The hardships of losing a loved one causes immediate needs for a family’s finances, emotional well-being, and stability. These immediate needs bridge across both the first responder and veteran communities. The collective impact of this endeavor with CSX is a testament to highlighting our heroes and how their families are always serving a greater cause and we are indebted to them for their service.”

In working with CSX Transportation, the foundation will grow its scholarship and grant programs. Donio stated, “In activating the new CSX partnership, the foundation will add a new scholarship: the CSX College Scholarship. Also, we will establish new industry and family assistance grants with the CSX funding. In addition to bolstering scholarship and grant programs, the collaboration with CSX helps the foundation fund community safety education programs and create new community outreach programs over the next two years.”

In the 16 years since the First Responders Children’s Foundation was established, the responsibilities put upon our uniformed heroes have grown exponentially. We work with families and agencies across the country, including police and fire departments, the DEA, FBI, Homeland Security, Secret Service, Forest Service, Border Patrol, Court Officers, EMS and all other forms of first responders to support and uplift first responder families should tragedy strike. We are keenly aware that the impact of the loss or injury of a parent can last a lifetime. First responders count on us to put their families first in times of need – just as they put all of us first every time they go to work.

Media Contact:
 First Responders Children’s Foundation

Joanna Black   
+1 (646) 912-2681


[email protected]

About First Responders Children’s Foundation

For the past 20 years, First Responders Children’s Foundation has been providing college scholarships to children of first responders who have lost a parent in the line of duty. The Foundation also awards grants to families enduring significant financial hardship and supports programs operated by law enforcement organizations whose purpose is to benefit children or the community in which they live. The Foundation’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade breakfast hosts children and family members of those lost in the line of duty for a free breakfast and front-row view of the Parade so those families can gather and heal during what might otherwise be a stressful holiday. More information can be found at www.1strcf.org. Follow First Responders Children’s Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @1strcf.