Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City Announces $275,000 in Pledges for Fallen Heroes Relief Effort

January 13, 2015

Mayor’s Fund to donate $200,000 to the Daily News Charities to directly support the families of Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos

Fund to donate $25,000 each to New York City Police Foundation, New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, New York City PBA Widows’ and Children’s Fund

NEW YORK—The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City announced today that it has raised $275,000 in pledges for the Fallen Heroes Relief Effort from over 150 individual and corporate contributions. The Fallen Heroes Relief Effort was established in honor of slain Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos and the larger NYPD community, to offer support for the affected families and our city’s law enforcement personnel. The Mayor’s Fund will contribute $200,000 to the Daily News Charities, which will provide direct support to the families of Detectives Liu and Ramos. The Fund will also contribute $25,000 to the Heroes Fund of the New York City Police Foundation; $25,000 to the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund; and $25,000 to the New York City PBA Widows’ and Children’s Fund.

“New Yorkers from all walks of life have reached out to the Fallen Heroes Relief Effort to show their support and appreciation for the families of Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, and we will continue to honor and remember their sacrifice in the days and years to come,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The generosity of those who have donated is further proof that there is no tragedy so terrible that it can stifle the fundamental goodness of our people.”

“Every day, in ways big and small, our city’s first responders put the safety and well-being of their neighbors above their own. Today we are thanking the thousands of generous New Yorkers who have recognized their sacrifice by donating to a variety of worthy organizations in honor of Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray, who serves as Chair of the Mayor’s Fund. “I am proud of the role the Mayor’s Fund has played in this effort, and pledge our continuing support.”  

“This is a wonderful gesture by the Mayor’s Fund.  Since we launched the fund for the Ramos and Liu families we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our readers and online audience,” said Colin Myler, President and Editor-in-Chief of the Daily News. “From $2 to $10,000, the donations have been so heartfelt.  Clearly, nothing can ease the pain of losing two fine men, but the Fund can at least give the families some practical comfort as they move forward.”

“New Yorkers from all across the city have rallied behind these two families and our fellow New Yorkers in law enforcement. The Mayor’s Fund is gratified to play a small role when tragedy strikes our city. As in Sandy relief efforts and following the explosion in East Harlem, New Yorkers answered the call to help their neighbors and the Mayor’s Fund was able to act quickly to bring relief,” said Gabrielle Fialkoff, Senior Advisor to the Mayor and Director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships.

The Fund received over 150 individual and corporate contributions, including pledges from JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Verizon; Con Edison; Association for a Better New York and the Rudin Family; AT&T; the Wilpon Family and the New York Mets Foundation; the Hispanic Federation;  Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch; the National Basketball Association; Tishman Speyer; the Weinstein Company; Cheryl Cohen Effron; McKenna Long & Aldridge; Capalino & Company; Broadway Stages; Haks Construction; HBO; and Parsons Corporation, among others.