Firefighters First Credit Union’s Fire Family Foundation Provided Nearly $104,000 in Assistance to CA Firefighters and Fire Families in 2014

LOS ANGELES, CA -- As the charitable hand of the Los Angeles-based Firefighters First Credit Union, Fire Family Foundation distributed almost $104,000 in assistance to firefighters and fire families in 2014, providing hope and comfort to those in need.

Serving firefighters, their families and fire victims, the Foundation ensures donations go directly to those in need; assistance is distributed statewide and supports numerous individuals and organizations.

The Foundation assisted many in 2014, including:

· Daughter of a firefighter, three -year-old Cecilia has been battling cancer over half her life;

· The family of three-week old Harper who needed to be airlifted for life-saving heart surgery; her daddy too is a firefighter;

· Veteran firefighter Valerie who is battling cancer; the Foundation raised funds and participated in a volunteer work day to help with needed home chores and to create a backyard awning to help in her recuperation from intense chemotherapy;

· The family of Roger, a young Fresno firefighter who passed away in the line of duty; the Foundation helped reunite his close-knit family for his funeral –which took place on what would have been his 32 birthday;

· Chris, a young firefighter, was struck and killed by an errant driver leaving behind a pregnant wife and a young son;

· A local low-income emergency shelter lost its building in a fire; the Foundation made a donation toward the rebuilding effort; and

· Victims of the devastating Weed fire that tore through the community in Northern California.

“Our donations have greatly increased in the second half of the year due to the generosity of the firefighting community and the general public,” says Mike Mastro, President and CEO of Firefighters First who serves as the Foundation Board Chair. “This year, the Foundation touched countless lives and we are proud to be that helping hand to those who are grieving, in shock or feel like hope is lost.”

The Foundation in 2015 is continuing to reach out and respond to communities and the firefighters who serve them in times of need.

Learn more about Fire Family Foundation and individuals/organizations that it’s currently helping at www.firefamilyfoundation.org. Follow Fire Family Foundation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/firefamilyfoundation.

ABOUT FIRE FAMILY FOUNDATION

Fire Family responds when tragedy affects firefighters and fire victims.  The charitable hand of Firefighters First Credit Union, Fire Family Foundation offers immediate assistance to firefighters and their families, fire victims, fire departments, and charities. The Foundation believes that by coming together as a “Fire Family,” assistance can be provided to those impacted by fire. Learn more at www.FireFamilyFoundation.org.

The Foundation is based in Los Angeles, but serves the state of Cal