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