FAO Schwarz and the Uniformed Firefighters Association helped bring holiday cheer Sunday to the children of fallen firefighters.
As CBS2’s Christina Fan reported, 50 kids and their families were treated to a full day of fun. Joy overflowed from the back of a fire engine in front of FAO Schwarz, where Santa Claus, FDNY mascot Hot Dog, and toy soldiers brought smiles to widows and their children, fulfilling a promise made to their fallen heroes
“We thank you so much for coming and being a part of this. You make our day more than we make yours,” said Andrew Ansbro, president of the UFA.
For 40 years, the union has been providing smiles to families of firefighters killed while on duty. Sunday’s celebration was especially meaningful to Erika Oelkers and her three daughters, who lost FDNY firefighter Tom Oelkers in May to 9/11-related cancer.