The Christmas spirit sprang to life Sunday, December 13, as the First Responders Foundation Children’s Toy Express joined forces by Bob Siracusano of Sawyer Motors in Saugerties to deliver a holiday gift spectacular at Cantine Field.
Signs placed around the gift-giving area named the many well-known and less well-known toy brands:
Mattel, American Girl, Moves that Matter, CSX, Jakks, Good 360, Hess Toy Trucks and Toys for Tots. Masks USA was also listed on the signs.
Al Kahn, the founder of the First Responders Foundation Children’s Toy Express, said he learned after the 9/11 attack that 800 children had lost a parent in the tragedy. “I asked myself what we could do for those children, and I decided to …. I didn’t know the mayor, Rudy Giuliani; I didn’t know anyone at City Hall, but I’m blessed,” he said. “I’ve been a very successful children’s toy marketer, and I felt that we should give back as best we can.”
Kahn arranged with Giuliani to have the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade cordon off seven blocks and hosted a breakfast for 1200 people, he said. “It was two months after 9/11 and everyone there had lost a family member. Also, people from Washington came in. We never publicized it.
He especially recalled the young children running around and playing. “I realized this would be a lifelong mission because what would happen to these children as they grew older. I decided to start the foundation, and I must tell you — after 20 years — many kids are now police officers or firemen that we gave scholarships to.”
Now the foundation is a national organization that gave out over $25 million last year, Kahn said. Addressing the fire, police and sheriff’s deputies gathered to hand out the gifts, Kahn said, “I don’t worry about you, but I’m worried about those children who don’t have the same leadership and the same skill sets that you bring to the table.”
Beyond honoring first responders, Kahn said, “we’re honoring a businessman who goes beyond to serve the local community and first responders. We are honoring Bob Siracusano of Sawyer Motors with a corporate public hero award for his commitment to the community, Boys & Girls Club, youth sports, animal shelter, Bob is a true corporate hero.”
Appearing with Bob Siracusano was his brother Larry. With the award comes a $20,000 four-year scholarship in Siracusano’s name.
Siracusano said later that he had also received $2000 in cash, which he intends to use to award $500 scholarships in each of the next four years.
Hero awards were also given to firefighter Steve Nagal, nurse Jacqueline Hackett, and police officer Travis Winchell, said First Responders Children’s Foundation president Jillian Crane. “We gave each of them a cash award, and also a hero award for their service during the Covid-19 epidemic.”
In addition, each family received a package of food including vegetables and canned goods.
A press release from First Responders Children’s foundation credits first-responder agencies — local police, fire departments from Saugerties, Glasco and Centerville, New York State Police, Saugerties Police Department, Ulster County Sheriff and CSX Special Agents and Government & Community Affairs Representatives — with contributing to the effort. Also cited were town supervisor Fred Costello, village mayor Bill Murphy, and parks and buildings superintendent Greg Chorvas.
Costello, looking healthy and happy to be at the event, said he is over the coronavirus bout that he found painful and crippling at its worst. “It’s over now, I’m on the good side of it,” he said. The pneumonia that went with the virus really hurt, he said.
The festivities are going to be an annual event, said Children’s Foundation communications director Joanna Black.
Join the family! 
