Special thanks to all of our supporters who have helped us to help others in 2009.  We look forward to many more great podcasts in 2010.

[View with PicLens]

New York City Bravest Scholarship Fund

New York Police and Fire Widows and Childrens Benefit Fund

Paramedic Carlos R. Lillo Memorial Scholarship Fund. 

Blood donors must mention the FDNY group number "4FDNY" at the time of donation and the blood donation must take place at one of NYBCs New York or New Jersey donor centers or blood drive locations.  This opportunity is available to any member of the public wishing to donate blood.

To locate a convenient blood drive or to schedule an appointment,

visit www.nybloodcenter.org or call

1-800-933-BLOOD

This year we paid tribute to the four living mayors of New York, learn how each has had a genuine commitment to the Benefit Fund. Rusty and Stephen also share the information about next year when we gather for the 25th Annual Benefit Fund Dinner.

Stephen Dannhauser was right on point as he introduced the Mayors and recalled each of their histories with the Benefit Fund. So many of members of our Board of Directors were on hand to talk and spend time with the guests.

[View with PicLens]

123►

Rusty Staub once again a fabulous emcee for the evening as he moved the program along through the high moments of our honorees to the emotionally charged moments as we watched the touching tributes to the families of two of our fallen heroes.

Stephen Dannhauser was right o point as he introduced the Mayors and recalled each of their histories with the Benefit Fund. So many of members of our Board of Directors were on hand to talk and spend time with the guests. It is a testament to our board to be able to year after year continue to encourage support from existing friends and associates and to continue to build new relationships.

A highlight of the evening was the live auction which had items ranging from a day of training with the FDNY to Castles in Europe to fishing trips with Board Member and NY Rangers superstar Mark Messier. The money raised from the dinner will go a long way in helping the Benefit Fund fulfill it’s goals

In an effort to be environmentally friendly we produced our Ad Journal as an online publication, complete with live links to our supporters. We encourage you to look at it and visit the websites of our sponsors.

Check out the online Ad Journal

Here is some behind the scenes footage from the dinner.

At the Gala, the Benefit Fund will honor New York City Mayors Michael Bloomberg, Rudolph Giuliani, David Dinkins and Ed Koch for their steadfast support throughout the years of the Benefit Fund and NYC’s first responders. This is the first time that all four mayors will be recognized together by a single cause.

Follow us on Twitter and join our Fan Page on Facebook. for updates from the dinner.

At the Gala, the Benefit Fund will honor New York City Mayors Michael Bloomberg, Rudolph Giuliani, David Dinkins and Ed Koch for their steadfast support throughout the years of the Benefit Fund and NYC’s first responders. This is the first time that all four mayors will be recognized together by a single cause.

The Gala comes less than one month after Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter sold-out Madison Square Garden for his 9/11 “Answer the Call” benefit concert and selected the Benefit Fund to be the sole beneficiary of the concert proceeds.

“It is an honor to be the first organization to host the past four mayors of New York City,” said Rusty Staub. “As legendary leaders in each of their own right, we are grateful for their support to those who have bravely served our city.”

“Since its inception 24 years ago, this important event has gained tremendous momentum, and it is a privilege to have the support of our city’s greatest cultural and industry leaders,” said Stephen Dannhauser. “We are particularly grateful to Jay-Z for generating further awareness of the Benefit Fund’s efforts and ongoing support of the family members of New York City’s finest and bravest heroes.”

New York Rangers fan favorite and Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Messier, last year’s Gala honoree, will be also in attendance in his capacity as one of the Benefit Fund’s newest board members.

The Gala will include a live auction led by George Whipple of NY1 News, as well as a newly added silent auction. Notable items that are being donated this year include a FDNY Memorial “343” Honorary Fire Chief’s helmet, complete with signatures from all four mayors, along with special items donated by the Police Department and Port Authority. The Benefit Fund will begin accepting bids on these items on its website beginning October 1 (visit www.answerthecall.org).

The cocktail reception begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 7:30 p.m. Individual tickets begin at $750 and include a commemorative gift. For sponsorship/ticket information contact: Linda Giammona, 212.735.4505 or linda.giammona@answerthecall.org.

Below is some of the media coverage of the concert.

Rolling Stone

Wall Street Journal

The BBC

The Associated Press

MTV

Here are some images from the show

◄ Back

Next ►

Picture 1 of 21

It was great to see so many of our beneficiary families and friends enjoying themselves at the party. They were joined by Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly who couldn’t help but admire these beautiful strong women.

A big thank you goes out to Max Azria and the entire team at BCBG for putting on such an amazing event and taking care of some very lucky members of the New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund family. You have really stepped up to Answer the Call. Thank you.

Stephen Danhauser and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter

This Friday’s September 11th tribute concert by Jay-Z for the New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund has created quite a media stir. We have been getting great press in all forms of media. Here are some recent sightings.

JAY-Z ANSWERS THE CALL

JAY-Z CHARITABLE CONCERT

Jay-Z Story Bloomberg News

StubHub to Donate Its Profits

CNN

1010 WINS

WNBC

MTV

The Associated Press

Newsday

Billboard

NY1

WABC

◄ Back

Next ►

Picture 1 of 12

]]> http://answerthecallblog.org/highlights-of-press-conference-with-jay-z/feed/ 4 noThis is the podcast that will allow the Benefit Fund to reach out to the community and share the stories of the people that make up the NYPFWC Benefit Fund as well as interviews with the beneficiaries. This is the podcast for the New York Police and Fire Widows and Childrens Benefit Fund. Help us to support those who put their lives on the line to protect us every day. Since the Benefit Funds inception in 1985 by Daniel J. Rusty Staub, the Benefit Fund has distributed over $123 million to the families of New York City police and fire personnel who have been killed in the line of duty. Though the Benefit Fund was initially created to assist families of New York City Fire Fighters and Police Officers, we now include the families of Emergency Medical Services and Port Authority Officers as well. In 1987 we provided 320 families with annual financial assistance and by 2008, we made the same commitment to nearly 700 families. Our need has certainly grown, but our mission remains pure: help children and spouses who lost a loved one in the line of duty, charged with the task of keeping our families safe.Uncategorized, FDNY, FUSE, Jay-Z, MSG, NYPDhttp://answerthecallblog.org/highlights-of-press-conference-with-jay-z/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/answerthecallblog/~3/U-96ly6sYtE/ http://answerthecallblog.org/msg-entertainment-and-fuse-present-%e2%80%9cjay-z-live-from-madison-square-garden-answer-the-call%e2%80%9d-friday-september-11-at-9pm-et/#comments Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:34:45 +0000 Robert Allen http://answerthecallblog.org/?p=231

LIVE EVENT

BENEFITS NEW YORK POLICE AND FIRE

WIDOWS’ AND CHILDREN’S BENEFIT FUND

FUSE TO AIR BENEFIT CONCERT LIVE IN HD AND COMMERCIAL-FREE

CITI CARDMEMBERS ELIGIBLE FOR EXCLUSIVE PRESALE

New York (August 24, 2009) – Madison Square Garden’s national music network Fuse and MSG Entertainment today announced that JAY-Z will play a benefit concert at Madison Square Garden, underwritten by ABSOLUT, JAY-Z and Live Nation, on September 11 at 9pm ET that will air exclusively in HD and commercial-free, live on Fuse. All proceeds from the concert will go towards New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, the organization that has been helping New York City families of fallen first responders for over 25 years. The exclusive relationship between MSGE and Fuse will allow JAY-Z’s fans nationwide to experience “Fuse Presents JAY-Z Live from Madison Square Garden: Answer the Call,” the highly anticipated live event, the same day his 11th studio album, The Blueprint 3 is released.

For this live event, 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales and concert merchandise will go directly to New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund. Since its inception, the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund has distributed over $114 million to the families of New York City police and fire personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Though the Benefit Fund was initially created to assist families of New York City Fire Fighters and Police Officers, the non-profit now includes the families of Emergency Medical Services and Port Authority Officers as well. For more information on the organization, go to www.answerthecall.org

The on-sale date and method of purchase will be announced shortly. After the announcement, Citi card members will have access to presale tickets through Citi’s Private Pass(R) program. For complete presale details visit: www.citiprivatepass.com and for more information on programming surrounding this event, go to www.fuse.tv/jay-z.

The events of September 11th challenged JAY-Z as an entertainer and a New Yorker. This benefit concert serves as not just a reminder of the lives lost but as a look towards the future and the hope that arose on September 12th. “This charity and concert encompass the true spirit of New York City,” commented Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter. “We are asking everyone to ‘answer the call’ and support and honor the families of those that lost their lives in the line of duty. There was true camaraderie and resiliency that this city showed the world in 2001, and we continue that today by taking care of our own.”

“On behalf of New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund’s Board of Directors and the families of our fallen heroes, we are truly grateful for JAY-Z’s choice to support our charity and ‘answering the call’,” said Stephen J. Dannhauser, president and CEO of the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund.

Kicking off with the live airing of “Fuse Presents JAY-Z Live from Madison Square Garden: Answer the Call,” on September 11 at 9pm ET, Fuse will feature additional JAY-Z programming in support of the Benefit Fund and The Blueprint 3’s release throughout the weekend. Content will include “The JAY-Z Chronicles,” tracing his career and rise to the top through music videos and facts, “Loaded: JAY-Z,” featuring a half-hour of JAY-Z’s greatest music videos, and encore performances of the concert.

The unique relationship between MSG Entertainment and Fuse offers music lovers distinct multi-platform access to JAY-Z and the opportunity to support, along with JAY-Z, an important New York City cause. Through television, on-line exposure at MSGE venue websites and msg.com, and cross-venue assets, JAY-Z will benefit from MSG’s multi-tiered exposure to his fans, ultimately further promoting this important charity.

“MSGE and Fuse are honored to support JAY-Z’s efforts to raise awareness and funds for a great cause through this unique live concert and television event,” said Mike Bair, president, MSG Media. “By utilizing Madison Square Garden’s historic venue, Fuse’s national reach of 65 million homes as well as our on air programming and promotional efforts, we hope to help JAY-Z reach fans by giving back through music.”

“Together, MSGE and Fuse are thrilled to support JAY-Z’s upcoming charity performance at The Garden and provide significant exposure to his fans in efforts to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Jay Marciano, president, MSG Entertainment. “There is no better outcome than when an evening of great music can excite fans and help people in need at the same time. Through MSG’s unique assets, thousands of fans will be able to experience JAY-Z live exclusively on Fuse, bringing JAY-Z closer to potential donors and ultimately raising awareness for a meaningful cause.”

MSGE and Fuse have the joint power to offer a special experience to artists – with legendary venues, national television exposure and programming, along with combined marketing power to garner attention from an expansive network of music lovers. JAY-Z will join artists including Dave Matthews Band, Kanye West and Fall Out Boy who have all taken advantage of this type of collaborative series.

About MSG Entertainment

MSG Entertainment (MSGE), the live entertainment arm of Cablevision Systems Corporations, is a worldwide entertainment company recognized for its signature combination of event production and entertainment marketing. In addition to the nearly 700 entertainment concerts and events that take place each year at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, The Beacon Theatre and The Chicago Theatre, MSGE has an exclusive co-booking agreement with Boston’s Citi Performing Arts Center/ Wang Theatre. MSG Entertainment’s live events include The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which includes the national arena tour and the theatrical tour and has played to more than 43 different cities across North America. Additionally, MSGE has an ongoing partnership with Cirque Du Soleil to create new content and productions for its venues. Wintuk, which premiered in 2007, was built exclusively for the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden and runs every holiday season. More than six million people attend MSG Entertainment branded events annually including concerts, special events, and family attractions.

For MSGE, Liz Bishko: elizabeth.bishko@thegarden.com / 212.465.6360

About Fuse

Fuse brings viewers closer to their favorite artists and bands by featuring original series and specials, exclusive interviews, live concerts and video blocks – all rooted in the music experience. Celebrating the hit makers of today, familiar favorites and edgy newcomers, Fuse accommodates the wide ranging tastes and attitudes of its 18-34 year-old audience with compelling music programming on-air, on-line, on-demand and via mobile technologies. Fuse is a part of MSG Media, which includes television networks MSG and MSG Plus and MSG Interactive, which oversees all company wireless and online initiatives. MSG Media is a division of Madison Square Garden, L.P., which is owned by Cablevision Systems Corporation, and includes the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League); MSG Entertainment, which includes concerts and events at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, the Wang Center, the Beacon Theatre, as well as the legendary Chicago Theatre, and which manages wholly-owned live entertainment properties including the Radio City Rockettes and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Additional information about Fuse can be found at http://press.fuse.tv/

For Fuse, Lauren Melone: lmelone@fuse.tv / 212.324.3401

About Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter

Since 1995, Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter has dominated the rap industry and set trends for a generation. Now in 2009, he personifies the “American Dream. Founder and chairman of, Rocawear, he is also co-owner of the NJ Nets, 40/40 sports clubs, co-owner of Carol’s Daughter skin line and Translation Advertising. After three successful years as President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, where he fostered the careers of international stars Rihanna, Ne-Yo and Kanye West, JAY-Z entered into a partnership with Live Nation to form Roc Nation. Through Roc Nation, on September 11, 2009, JAY-Z will release Blueprint 3, the last chapter of the critically acclaimed Blueprint trilogy. JAY-Z became the first non-athlete to enter into a major footwear co-venture with his S. Carter line for Reebok and in addition, continues his philanthropic work through his Water For Life initiative and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation. Over his career, the multiple Grammy and award winner has sold more than 40 million albums and sold out arenas across the world.

For JAY-Z, Jana Fleishman: janafleishman@gmail.com / 646.688.0517

###

To make a donation please click here

[View with PicLens]

If you would like to make a donation please click here.

Paul Warhola, 47, of Engine 221 in Brooklyn, responded to a 3:30 p.m. Wednesday fire.
He became ill and was taken to Bellevue Hospital Center, where his condition worsened.

He was a 16-year veteran. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Warhola is married and has a
daughter, The Associated Press reported. Fire union officials could not be reached
for comment Friday on funeral arrangements.