New York, April 27, 2023 — First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), a national 501-c3 organization dedicated to serving the children of U.S. first responders, today announced that it has created a special scholarship award in the name of Nashville first responders who rushed into action to save children during a tragic shooting at The Covenant School on Monday, March 27th.
The ‘First Responders Children’s Foundation Nashville Hero Scholarship’ will be awarded to a child of a Davidson County first responder, which includes police officers, firefighters, EMS professionals, and 911 operators, FRCF said. The scholarship winner will be granted up to $20,000 over four years for trade school, college, or graduate school expenses. Applicants may apply by visiting www.1strcf.org/nashville. The deadline for applications is June 15, 2023. Donations to support the scholarship can also be made by visiting www.1strcf.org/nashville.
In 2022, FRCF gave out scholarships to 343 children nationwide totaling more than one million dollars. Its Scholars Council offers peer-to-peer support and access to resources for career readiness and life skills. In addition to scholarships, FRCF provides mental health counseling, bereavement grants, and other services to the children of first responders across the country.
“Hundreds of Nashville first responders showed their unswerving devotion to public safety in the face of enormous danger, and FRCF is proud to create this special scholarship in their name,” said FRCF President and CEO Jillian Crane. “These local heroes literally put their lives on the line to save others; we can think of no group more deserving of a scholarship naming. With their parents constantly on call to enter dangerous situations, children of U.S. first responders face unique challenges and anxieties. It’s our mission to serve the families of those who serve us admirably each and every day.”
“The men and women of our police department leave home every day to protect our community not knowing what perils they may face,” said Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake. “At times, the danger is extreme, as we saw on March 27 at The Covenant School. Regardless of what our officers encounter day to day, thoughts often turn to the family members who steadfastly support us and eagerly await our safe return home. We are grateful to First Responders Children’s Foundation for graciously including the young family members of Nashville’s police officers in this scholarship opportunity.”
“The families of our personnel are heroes for us every day. They are our support system and the reason we can make it through tragedies to continue to respond and show up for our community. This scholarship, to help those families, is an amazingly generous consideration from First Responders Children’s Foundation and the Nashville Fire Department is honored to be included,” said Nashville Fire Department Director Chief William Swann.
“Public safety telecommunicators leave their own families to take care of others on a regular basis – when the storms rage, when bombs explode on Christmas morning, on weekends, in the middle of the night, over and over again standing by their commitment to take care of others while relying on others to take care of their loved ones. This amazing scholarship offered by the First Responders Children’s Foundation is a fantastic opportunity for our team to give back to their children as a result of their committed service to helping others,” said Stephen Martini, Director of the Metro Nashville Department of Emergency Communications.
Ms. Crane urged local businesses and individuals to support the “FRCF Nashville Hero Scholarship”, as well as other scholarships and services the organization provides with the help of individual and corporate donations.
“We’ve established this scholarship as a starting point, hoping that Tennesseans and Tennessee businesses rally to help support this scholarship for many years to come. It’s a meaningful way to say ‘thank you’ to those who run into danger to keep us safe day in and day out.”
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ABOUT FIRST RESPONDERS CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION (FRCF)
First Responders Children’s Foundation is a national foundation that provides programs and resources that address the specific needs of children of first responders. The Foundation focuses on critical areas, including scholarships, financial assistance grants; bereavement assistance, mental health counseling for children; and community engagement. FRCF also supports first responder families enduring significant financial hardship due to tragic circumstances, including injury in the line of duty. FRCF was founded over 21 years ago in response to 9/11 when 800 children lost a first responder parent. Additional information about FRCF can be found at www.1stRCF.org and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @1strcf.
Bill O’Reilly
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bill@oreillycommunications.com