$64K Check for Sandy Relief Presented to Babylon Fire Chiefs Association

Pictured [from left to right] are Councilman Henry; Supervisor Schaffer; Chief Jim Harrington, President of the Town of Babylon Fire Chiefs Association; Former Councilwoman Ellen McVeety of the Town of Babylon Fire Chiefs Association; Jeff Thompson of the Town of Babylon Fire Chiefs Association; Councilwoman Gordon; Councilman Donnelly; and Deputy Supervisor Martinez.

Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer recently joined with fellow members of the Town Board to present a check worth $64,303.50 to the Town of Babylon Fire Chiefs Association Hurricane Relief Fund for direct monetary assistance to families impacted by Superstorm Sandy. 

These funds were a raised during last year’s Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride and were set aside to be donated to benefit victims of Superstorm Sandy at the request of the Wounded Warriors Project.

Joining Supervisor Schaffer for the check presentation were Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez, Councilwoman Jacqueline Gordon, Councilman Lindsay P. Henry and Councilman Tom Donnelly. Accepting the check on behalf of the Fire Chiefs Association were Association President Jim Harrington, Association member Jeff Thompson and former Councilwoman Ellen McVeety. 

The Town of Babylon Fire Chiefs Association Hurricane Relief Fund was founded in November of 2012 to provide assistance to those who experienced great damage to their home and property as a result of Superstorm Sandy. 

To date, the Fire Chiefs Association has raised thousands of dollars, including $40,000 from their 2013 “Fill the Boot” event, which featured members of nearby volunteer fire departments raising money on local roadways by encouraging those passing by to drop money into large boots. 

The money from the Hurricane Relief Fund is put into gift cards of $250 increments (one per household) to stores like Lowes Home Improvement and Target that are given to Sandy victims from all affected areas in the Town of Babylon for home repairs. Recipients must apply for assistance and are then selected by a blind lottery. The Fire Chiefs Association will be distributing 258 more gift cards this spring. 

The Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride has been held every summer in the Town of Babylon for the past six years and is a 25 mile bicycle ride to benefit service members who have been injured in combat. Last year, thousands of participants braved the record breaking heat to show their support and raise over $100,000, half of which was donated to the Hurricane Relief Fund. For information on the 2014 Soldier Ride, visit the Town's website here later this spring. 

Donations can be made to the Town of Babylon Chiefs Hurricane Relief Fund at PO Box 682, Babylon, NY 11702.

Info/photo courtesy of Babylon Town