By Stacey Altherr
Newsday
Copyright 2006 Newsday, Inc.
NEW ORLEANS, La. — It was a connection born of sorrow, but one that left holiday joy in its wake. Twenty-three New York City firefighters, bound by the losses they suffered on Sept. 11, drove 1,200 miles recently to bring cheer to more than 100 children whose families are still struggling to rebuild their lives after Hurricane Katrina.
The firefighters donated their time to make the week-long trip to Moss Point, Miss., to deliver seven truckloads of toys and supplies to families at the community’s Civic Action Center.
“It’s a miracle, the fact that we pulled it off,” said Tom O’Connor, a retired New York City firefighter and North Bellmore resident who spearheaded the convoy down to Moss Point, one of the places in the Biloxi area that was hardest hit by Katrina.
O’Connor said they delivered nearly 8,000 toys, as well as juice boxes, cookies and other staples for the children’s holiday party. The toys will be distributed to thousands of children.
Most of the toys and food supplies were donated by the group 9/11 Families for Katrina Relief, an offshoot of the Stephen Siller FDNY “Let Us Do Good” Children’s Foundation. Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter, was killed in the attack on the World Trade Center, and his brother Frank Siller created the foundation in his memory. Last year, the foundation had trucks filled with water and food on the road only days after the hurricane hit.
Since last summer, Sept. 11 victims’ families have donated more than $1 million in cash and supplies for Katrina victims and other causes.
“We weren’t forgotten,” Siller said, referring to families of the victims of Sept. 11. “We want to make sure those kids aren’t forgotten. Who better than those who lost someone important to be the ones to reach out a little hope?”
Also instrumental in arranging the toy drive was Charles Green, a Pensacola, Fla., resident who saw Frank Siller last year with Rita Cosby on MSNBC. Green contacted Siller and together they put a plan together to deliver the supplies.
Retired FDNY firefighter John McAleese, who lost his brother, firefighter Brian McAleese, in the south tower, said he was shocked at the devastation 18 months after Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. “The city [of New Orleans] is up and running, but on the outskirts you can see miles and miles of devastation. ... These families are still hurting in a big way.”
McAleese, of Baldwin, made the trip in Brian’s memory and to thank those who helped them through their tough times. “I saw the worst of humanity and the best of humanity on the same day,” he said.
The smiles of the children at the Moss Point Head Start Center made the months of preparation and the weeklong ride worth it, O’Connor or said.
“People ask ‘Why do you help the children?’ All I can say is, to be a fireman means you never grow up,” he said. “We always have a soft spot for kids.”