Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund Helps More Fire Fighters

April 23, 2008 – When Uniformed Firefighters Association of New York (UFA) Local 94 fire fighter Terry Farrell died in the line of duty on September 11, 2001, his five brothers -- inspired to help other fire fighter families -- created the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund in early 2002. Since then, the fund’s original mission to provide scholarships to children of New York fire fighters has been expanded to include relief for fire fighters in financial distress, donated apparatus and gear to needy fire departments and bone marrow collection drives.

“What we have been able to do with this fund is amazing,” says Brian Farrell, one of Terry’s brothers. “We certainly wouldn’t have been able to do it all without the strong support of all New York City fire fighters and, most recently, the California fire fighters.”

The charity’s budget survives on fundraisers, donations and a unique partnership with Jim Beam. Larry Romer, a former sales executive for the bourbon maker, is a friend of Brian Farrell and first expressed an interest in helping the fund in 2002.

It started small with T-shirts and eventually led to the production of a limited edition bottle label. In 2005, Jim Beam changed its label for the first time in more than 200 years to include a red fire helmet emblazoned with “343,” the number of FDNY fire fighters killed on 9/11.

The bottle, which was only distributed in New York, sold out. The following year, distribution of the limited-edition bottle was expanded to two additional states and sold out again. For every case of bourbon sold in New York – with or without the label – Jim Beam donates one dollar to the fund.

“Since the label is doing so well, there is now talk of widening the distribution even further,” says Farrell. Meanwhile, the bourbon maker has also bought and donated six thermal imaging cameras and a 2008 Chevy Suburban truck. The cameras went to needy departments and the truck went to the Fire Department of New York’s Fire Family Transport Foundation. The FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation provides transportation to families of injured, ill or deceased New York City fire fighters.

Since November 2007, the fund has also been able to distribute three fire vehicles, more than 100 sets of turnout gear, 50 SCOTT packs and various tools to fire departments, all thanks to other generous donations.

The number of scholarships for fire fighter children awarded each year is based on available funding with a minimum award of $1,000. Special grants are also available throughout the year for families of fire fighters in medical distress or lost in the line of duty.

Click here for more information on the Terry Farrell FireFighters Fund.