Our Benefactors

It takes a village to provide the physical and emotional support to our families & help them heal. We have every intention to expand our village so that our families are never without their needs.

The Family Assistance Unit (FAU) is a joint uniformed and civilian unit that supports FDNY members and/or families when there is a death, accident or serious illness in the family. This unit receives its funding through the FDNY Foundation which in turn allows them to provide financial support to many families of fallen and ill FDNY uniform members and civilian staff.

In addition to assisting the uniform members with support while they undergo their medical care, and/or counseling for those firefighters and families who need help due to work related injuries; when there is an illness or injury, members of the Family Assistance Unit check on the families’ needs and provides support at the hospital.

When there’s a death the role of FAU is to assist the family with the funeral planning. The FAU works closely with Ceremonial Unit to insure that each FDNY funeral, in whatever community it occurs, is honorable and dignified.

FAU ensures that all members of the FDNY receive the best available resources in their time of need. Thanks to the generosity of local and corporate businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic, FAU was able to provide lodging to it’s members. This allowed the members peace of mind to do their work in the field without worry of spreading the virus to their loved ones at home who are immune-compromised.

The FDNY Foundation, established in 1981, is the official not-for-profit organization of the New York City Fire Department. Its mission is to promote fire and life safety education and help the FDNY better protect New York. The FDNY Foundation funds awareness and outreach programs for the public, training and support for FDNY members.

Hope Lodge NYC

The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge program provides a free home away from home for cancer patients and their caregivers. More than just a roof over their heads, it’s a nurturing community that helps patients access the care they need. Patients staying at a Hope Lodge must be in active cancer treatment, and permanently reside more than 40 miles or one hour away from their cancer treatment center. Each patient must be accompanied by a caregiver.

Each Hope Lodge community offers:

A supportive environment for patients in cancer treatment and their caregivers

Close proximity to local cancer treatment centers
Private guest rooms and bathrooms
Fully equipped community kitchens for food storage and preparation
Gathering areas/great rooms and community dining rooms
Free laundry rooms stocked with supplies
Outdoor, reflection, or meditation spaces
A library and/or resource rooms
TVs and computer access
Dedicated volunteers helping to ensure a comfortable stay for our guests and frequently cook/provide meals
Committed staff members providing a nurturing and safe environment for guests

“Do the right thing, even when no one is looking,” words you’d often hear from Ray Pfeifer. A member of the FDNY since 1987, Ray was golfing with other FDNY firefighters the morning of September 11, 2001. When he learned of the attacks, Ray went to his firehouse at Engine 40/Ladder 35, grabbed his gear, and spent the next eight months searching and digging at Ground Zero. All 11 members of his Manhattan firehouse who responded to the call were killed.

In 2009, Ray was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer resulting from his work at the World Trade Center site. With federal benefits on the verge of expiring, Ray, in his wheelchair, led a small contingent to Washington, DC in 2015 to challenge lawmakers. Ray fought for health care benefits from the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to be extended for September 11th first responders, and succeeded. Ray passed away on May 28, 2017.

Now The Ray Pfeifer Foundation, started by other FDNY first responders, is helping 9/11 first responders with medical equipment and services not covered by insurance or the World Trade Center Health Program.

A registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the well-being of the fire department family; for recognition of the unique sacrifices that firefighters and their families selflessly make for the sake of all; and to honor those sacrifices.

The central focus of the Foundation is assisting the families of firefighters in their times of greatest need, in transporting firefighters, family members and department personnel to and from medical institutions both for care and family support. The Foundation is all-volunteer, entirely non-profit, and depends on donations of equipment, funds and service to carry out its mission.