The National Law Enforcement & Firefighters Children's Foundation to Host 14th Annual Thanksgiving Parade Breakfast for Families of First Responders; Local Dignitaries to Deliver Remarks

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation gathers to celebrate and give thanks with family and friends, the National Law Enforcement and Firefighters Children's Foundation (NLEAFCF) will host its 14^th Annual Thanksgiving Breakfast for the families of first responders who have been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The November 27^th event will coincide with the start of the 88th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Local dignitaries including former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, NYPD Commissioner William Bratton, FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro, Superintendent Michael Fedorko of the Port Authority Police, and dignitaries from the DEA, Homeland Security and the Secret Service will join NLEAFCF founder and President Al Kahn at the event.

The NLEAFCF has partnered with the Bryant Park Corporation and the Bryant Park Grill to host 1300 children and family members of fallen NYPD officers, FDNY firefighters, Port Authority Police officers, and members of uniformed services from New York and New Jersey for a hot breakfast and front-row viewing of the parade.  Each year, line of duty families look forward to this significant event for a chance to gather, celebrate and ease a sorrow that perhaps fades, but never disappears – particularly during difficult times such as the holidays. 

"We are thankful to begin a wonderful holiday season with the families of our first responders, and to let them know that we will never forget the sacrifices they have made. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to express our gratitude for their service, and to gather together and show our appreciation for every member of each of these families", said NLEAFCF President and Founder Al Kahn.

During the breakfast, the NLEAFCF Board of Directors and the Ovis family will recognize the recipient of the Victoria Ovis Memorial Scholarship. The NLEAFCF awards the scholarship annually to a New York-area child of a law enforcement officer or firefighter who was killed in the line of duty.  The student must demonstrate financial need and have an exemplary academic record as well as a commitment to volunteerism and service to the community.  The scholarship commemorates Victoria Ovis who had over 30 years of law enforcement experience with the United States Customs Service and the Department of Homeland Security.

Mr. Kahn said of this year's recipient, Michael Harrison Reisman, of Roslyn Heights, NY, "Michael has demonstrated leadership among his peers and exceptional scholastic achievements and community service. We are proud to be a part of helping Michael achieve his academic goals."

Michael is a freshman at the University of Chicago, majoring in Physics. Michael's father passed away June 1, 2014. Lt. Steven B. Reisman, FDNY, succumbed to cancer that stemmed from his service as a first responder at the World Trade Center site. The Ovis Memorial Scholarship is one of 23 total scholarships the NLEAFCF awarded to students across the country for this academic year.

NLEAFCF hosts their annual Thanksgiving event in cooperation with the NYPD, the FDNY, and the Port Authority Police of NY and NJ. 

Sponsors and individual donors underwrite the costs so the morning is free of charge to the children and families.  The event is sponsored by Louis Vuitton, inVNT, America's Camp, Supply & Demand, Judith and Rudy Giuliani, Eugene Cheng, Century Direct, Office of Development & Design, Southwest Airlines, A Taste of Home Bakery, Hallmark Channel, Bentonville Film Festival, and Upsilon Ventures.

Actor Molly Price who has entertained and moved millions of people with her iconic portrayals of law enforcement officers, will join with the families at the NLEAFCF breakfast. Molly Price began her television career with guest appearances on "Law & Order" and is primarily known for her starring role as Police Officer (and later, Detective) Faith Yokas in the crime drama series "Third Watch" from 1999 to 2005. Molly's husband, actor Derek Kelly, is a real-life firefighter in the FDNY, who worked at Engine Company 258/Ladder 115 in Queens and was a recurring guest star on Third Watch as an FDNY firefighter.

The NLEAFCF believes when the ultimate sacrifice has been made it is society's duty to help the children of these uniformed heroes achieve their full potential and become thriving members of the community.  It is an investment in the future of our nation and in tomorrow's heroes. The NLEAFCF is committed to providing long term support through grant and college scholarship programs for the children of law enforcement officers and firefighters across the country who have been lost or permanently disabled in the line of duty.

For more information about the 14^th Annual Thanksgiving Day Breakfast, or to make a donation, please visit https://nleafcf.org/events/thanksgiving/.

About The NLEAFCF
The NLEAFCF is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that provides financial support to both children who have lost a parent in the line of duty, and to line of duty families in times of significant financial hardship due to tragic circumstances.  Support is in the form of educational scholarships, special needs grants and family friendly events.  In addition, the NLEAFCF provides grants to programs created and operated by law enforcement and firefighting organizations whose purpose is to educate children and benefit the children in their local communities. 

Media interested in attending the event MUST RSVP to ensure access to the event.

SOURCE The National Law Enforcement and Firefighters Children’s Foundation

Related Links

https://nleafcf.org