Dear Editor:
The following letter was sent to Bill Renner, North Hudson Emergency Services Charity Fund from Caroline Hennessy, Director, Charitable Development, Port Authority PBA, Inc.: Dear Fire Fighter Renner:
Thank you for your extraordinary generosity to the first annual benefit auction for the Port Authority Police World Trade Disaster Survivors’ Fund. Your tremendous support continues to be a tribute to our 37 heroes, the families they left behind and our grieving department. I am so happy that you were able to join us at the auction.
On September 11, 2001, the Port Authority Police Department helped save over 25,000 people in the largest rescue operation ever, tragically losing 4 percent of the force. Immediately, the Port Authority Police World Trade Disaster Survivors Fund, a 501(3) organization (TIN#22-3826697), was created to channel financial support to our families and build $100,000 trust funds for our children. The auction proceeds were directed to our children.
Thanks to caring and concerned individuals and businesses like you, our first auction was a success. Nearly 300 guests attended, raising a total of $105,000. Meanwhile, fundraising continues to raise the final $2 million for the completion of the trust funds. Our next event will be a golf outing at Spring Lake Country Club on June 19, 2003.
On behalf of the families I serve, thank you for your wonderful gift of $25,000.00 for which no goods or services were exchanged. Your generosity and caring has helped our families and members of our force begin to heal. Thank you for honoring our heroes and helping us to never forget.
Fire Fighter Bill Renner
North Hudson Fire Fighters Association