Firefighters relief fund continues to increase

Contributions to the FDNY 9-11 total nearly $200,000

By George Moore

When the Santa Clara County and Saratoga firefighters put out an emergency call to the public to help with the New York Fire 9-11 Relief Fund, the response was overwhelming. The fund was set up to benefit the families of fallen firefighters in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Firefighter paramedic Art Marshall said the long list of the names of firefighters killed or missing deeply affected everyone in the department. He said many wished they could travel east and help with the search and rescue effort, but their services were needed here. So a local fundraising effort was started with a goal of raising $100,000 by having barbecues at farmers markets and other local events.

Marshall said raising the funds has been therapeutic for all the firefighters feeling the need to respond in some way.

He said the goal of $100,000 was quickly changed to $250,000 after raising nearly $155,000 from the Campbell, Los Gatos and Saratoga communities as of Sept. 25. He said fundraising efforts are also planned for Los Altos, Morgan Hill and Cupertino.

On Sept. 26, the Chinese American Disaster Relief Coalition of Silicon Valley, which includes the Monte Jade Society, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley, brought the local relief fund total to nearly $200,000 after donating a check for $40,000 at Fire Station No. 1 located at 20215 Stevens Creek Blvd. Tim Wu, executive director of the coalition, said it was formed immediately after the Sept. 11 tragedy.

Wu said the attacks killed colleagues of his who worked at the World Trade Center, and Los Altos resident and co-worker Angelo Pulido was attending a seminar on the 61st floor of the second tower when the first plane crashed. Pulido said he had evacuated down to the 30th floor when the second airliner crashed into his building.

"It was a horrific sight," Pulido said. "I saw people falling from the buildings, and shoes littered the ground where people literally ran out of them to get away from the area."

Pulido was three blocks away when the first tower came down, but was able to escape the dust and debris cloud that soon followed.

Wu said a relief coalition was formed after a devastating earthquake struck Taiwan on Sept. 21, 1999. The coalition raised over $850,000 for victims and their families. He said for the past two years the coalition has been working on different projects to help relieve the suffering. Wu said after Sept. 11, the campaign continues but with a new focus of relief efforts.

Marshall said the response from the public has given them new perspective and focus in their work.

"We can't begin to thank all the people who have contributed to this cause," Marshall said. "We really, truly appreciate it."

The fundraising effort continues into October when firefighters attend the Oktoberfest at Memorial Park Oct. 13 and 14 in Cupertino.

The Cupertino community is also performing fundraising efforts. Minton's Lumber of Cupertino will donate 10 percent of all sales made on Columbus Day Oct. 8, and council candidate Patrick Kwok raised $1,250 auctioning off an American flag that was previously flown in Washington, D.C. Proceeds of both efforts will be donated to the American Red Cross.

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