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Fire Family Foundation Provides Over $350,000 in Aid in 2016

     
PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Robin McCarthy
626-497-9395

Fire Family Foundation Provides Over $350,000 in Aid in 2016
Assisting Firefighters, Fire Families
LOS ANGELES, CA -- As the charitable hand of the Los Angeles-based Firefighters First Credit Union, Fire Family Foundation dispersed more than $350,000 in assistance to firefighters and fire families in need in 2016.
That amount more than doubles the previous year.  
Serving firefighters, their families and fire victims, the Foundation ensures donations directly support those in need, covering medical expenses, mortgage payments and daily living costs; assistance was distributed to numerous individuals, families and communities impacted by fire. 
“Be it fire, devastation, illness or death, the support provided by the Foundation helps families, fire victims, and fire families begin the long process of recovery.  We continue to be humbled by the support we received in 2016 from the firefighting community and the general public,” commented Mike Mastro, Foundation Board Chair, who serves as President/CEO of Firefighters First.  “The Foundation continues to respond to those in need from injured firefighter to a family member with a medical emergency to a fire victim with a housing crisis.  The Fire Family is a close-knit community and we truly try to take care of one another.”
The Foundation helped many this year, including:
·        Young Annie who has been battling cancer most of her 5-year life
·        The family of a young firefighter who passed away unexpectedly while on vacation
·        Rialto Fire Department as they aided victims of the 2015 San Bernardino shooting
·        The family of an inmate crewmember killed as she helped battle a wildfire
·        Supporting a vigil for all first responders – including Oakland firefighters – in the aftermath of the devastating Ghost Ship Warehouse fire that claimed 36 lives.
·        Educational needs for the son of a firefighter who passed away
·        A fire captain struggling with PTSD
·        A veteran firefighter mom battling cancer who also has twin daughters
·        Victims of the devastating Erskine and Sand Fires, especially housing needs to firefighters who lost their own homes.
The assistance was broad.  Support went to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to help the flood victims, firefighters in Indianapolis who have struggled with cancer, and funeral assistance for a Charlotte, North Carolina firefighter as a few examples, plus dozens of fire victims within California.
Foundation Executive Director Robin McCarthy explained the Foundation’s focus and mission: “In 2016 Fire Family Foundation offered a hand to hundreds.  Some of our biggest assistance items were $123,000 in mortgages/housing costs; $75,000 for hospital/medical expenses; and $59,000 for education and tuition, to name a few.  This year we are helping more, providing support when victims feel alone and not certain where to turn, especially our firefighting community. Once again, we stand behind our dedicated firefighters.”
Learn more at 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 and/or on Twitter at @FireFamilyFound. 

ABOUT FIRE FAMILY FOUNDATION

Fire Family Foundation responds when tragedy affects firefighters and fire victims.  A nonprofit founded by 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.

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