Joseph Mulvey served as a NY Firefighter for 19 years till he was killed in service to his community. He left behind a son and daughter along with his grieving widow. 6 year old Charlotte and her 8 year old brother were treated Sunday to a shopping spree at the worlds most famous toy store FAO Schwartz. Charlotte said “I saw Santa and I got a new purse!" Her brother said "“There was a case upstairs with a fireman’s hat in it and the fireman’s hat had 325 on it. That’s my dad’s engine”. The store honors all of the fallen heroes by putting their hats and or badges on display.
The event was hosted by the FDNY-Uniformed Firefighters Association Widows & Children’s Fund. Each child received a $200 gift card to the store. The kids got to rode around the block in a special fire engine. Some were lifted in the engine’s bucket to see the Rockefeller Center tree from above, adding a bit of magic to the day.
Eileen Bellew tells the NY Post that when her husband died fighting a fire in 2005 the fund provided gifts for her 4 children which they greatly appreciated. As they grew up they started volunteering to help other kids who go through the same tragedy. And they're not a lone. Lots of kids go from benefactors to volunteers.
15-year-old Juliette Oelkers lost her dad Tommy in 2021 says “All the kids here are pretty much going through the same thing, It’s nice to be with other kids who understand. Understand what this is like. I think next year I'll be one of the people wrapping the gifts for kids".
Children and family members of fallen heroes find meaning and comfort in spending the day with others who share similar experiences and describe the gathering as more than a toy giveaway, saying it provides a sense of community. Organizers say the event has supported families for decades, and has become a lasting tradition for attendees.
Photo: SERGEY BOBOK / AFP / Getty Images