By FireRescue1 Staff
NEW YORK — The family of an FDNY firefighter who died in a helicopter crash in Iraq is being gifted with scholarship money and funds to pay the mortgage.
According to a press release, the FDNY Foundation created the Scholarship Fund to Benefit the Children of FDNY Lieutenant Christopher Raguso and donated $25,000 to the cause.
“It’s a very tough loss for us,” Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said. “The scholarship fund can be found at FDNYFoundation.org and the Foundation will be taking care of this family’s five-year-old and six-year-old little girls. So please open your hearts and open your wallets and let’s do the right thing.”
Lt. Raguso’s father-in-law, Anthony Dichiara, said he was “stunned” by the donation. “It seems like every time I have a meeting with FDNY, I sit there with my mouth open because I can’t believe the unity and the help. I’ve been told by the Commissioner, by everyone, saying it’s not over. This will go on for the rest of their lives.”
In addition to the scholarship fund, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation donated $100,000 to the Raguso family to help pay their mortgage, according to NBC New York.
“I know it’s a very sad day for the fire department,” CEO Frank Siller said. “But it’s such a proud day to know that you had people like this that served your department and served their country at the same time.”
When announcing the donation, the foundation created a Crowdrise campaign and encouraged others to donate enough money to help pay off the rest of the mortgage. To donate, click here.
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