Pension News - FABF

ENDE MENZER WALSH & QUINN WIDOWS' AND CHILDREN'S ASSISTANCE FUND
Through the Ende Menzer Walsh and Quinn Retiree’s Widow’s and Children’s assistance Fund (IRS authorized 501(C)
(3)charitable organization) Active and Retired members, many businesses, and many of our friends across the city have
contributed generously to help us raise and distribute money to the neediest of our participants. In 2012, we disbursed
over $750,000 last year to 628 widows and 83 children. These gifts made possible by active and retired fi refi ghters,
paramedics and our generous benefactors have helped many who are truly just barely making ends meet. Nearly as
important, the people we help are remembered as extended members of our Chicago Fire Department. It has always
been our goal to help ease the burdens that come with the loss of a father or mother or husband. What we have
accomplished over more than 25 years has been no small task. There are so many people who are truly deserving of
our gratitude to help make the support we provide others possible.
Having been involved with this Gift Fund has really been a rewarding experience. Every year we get hundreds of phone
calls and thank you cards from widows and children in gratitude for the support that you provide. Some of the calls
really put things in perspective. In 2012, one elderly widow called shortly before Christmas and told us the story of how
she was boiling water for nearly three months because she couldn’t afford to get her hot water heater fi xed. The check
we sent her enabled her to get it fi xed and she called to say thank you to everyone that helped that made it possible.
Many others write in fond remembrance of their departed husband and tell of how much the Chicago Fire Department
has meant to them and their families.
Many people and organizations throughout the City have taken note and have volunteered their support for which we are
extremely grateful. Jack O’Callahan, former 1980 US Olympic Hockey Gold Medal winner and Chicago Blackhawk
along with Judy Rice, former City Treasurer and current Harris Bank Vice President were instrumental in initiating
our annual Blackhawks Vs. Police and Fire Charity Softball Games. Jack and Judy along with the entire Chicago
Blackhawks and Harris Bank organizations jumped in and helped us greatly expand a Chicago corporate outreach
allowing us to do even more than we have in the past. The Chicago Blackhawk Alumni, The Harris Bank, The Chicago
Firefi ghter’s Local 2, Sal Ferrara of Ferrara Pan Candies, Larry Wirtz now with WGN and Carol Cooling and Jodi
Bajor of NBC, the Blackhawks Ice Girls, Pepsi, Saint Xavier University, CBOE and CME, The Battle of the Badges
committee, The Chicago Police Memorial and our MC Mike Adamlee are just a few who have been instrumental in
our growth as a charity. They all have a piece in that new water heater for one of our neediest widows. They all helped
many elderly widows purchase and wrap Christmas presents for grandkids.
I would also like to personally thank a few of our own Chicago Fire Department members who are always willing to
commit their time and services. Local 2’s director of Public Relations Tim O’Brien, Lt. Mike Neeham and Lt. Dave
Leno were very instrumental in building stands and preparing the fi eld for this year’s event at SXU. I would also like to
thank my fellow trustees and staff for their support and attendance at the event.
On April 23rd, while fi nishing the newsletter and planning for this year’s event, I opened a letter for the Gift Fund and
was pleasantly surprised to receive a check from our former mayor, Richard M. Daley for our Ende Menzer Walsh &
Quinn Retiree’s Widow’s and Children’s Assistance Fund. While I was preparing the formal IRS required contribution
receipt, Mayor Daley called to let us know that support that we provide to our neediest participants is special, unique and
helps a lot of deserving people. On behalf of all involved, I expressed our thanks for his generous support.
In conclusion, given our neediest participants needs and the fact that they receive no cost of living increases. We are
committed to always increasing our efforts. We are beginning our efforts for this year’s event. We’ll gladly accept
anyone’s offer to help in any capacity. We are all committed to an even better year. To all of you that contributed, thank
you. For those that want to contribute, call the Fund offi ce at (312) 726-5823 and we can assist with payroll deduction
for active and retired members.
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