NEW YORK (PIX11)—Thanks to a non–profit, 1500 families of heroes were in the front row with their kids to enjoy the Thanksgiving Day parade tradition.
Holidays can be challenging for families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty. One thousand five hundred families of heroes were front row with her kids to enjoy the Thanksgiving Day Parade tradition thanks to a non-profit, the First Responders Children’s Foundation.
Christine Floyds’s life was turned upside down earlier this year when she lost the love of her life.
She lost her husband, an FDNY firefighter and marine veteran, 36-year-old Derek Floyd, earlier this year.
He was the love of her life and the rock of their family. He died in April due to a heart-related issue, not in the line of duty.
This Thanksgiving is her first holiday without him.
She and her two children were invited to be special guests at the Thanksgiving Day parade.
Jillian Crane, the president and CEO of the First Reasoners Children's Foundation, helped honor more than 1,500 first responder family members and guests at the 23rd annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Children got toys and, most importantly, felt the love.
Crane’s organization provides families free access to mental health & resiliency counseling, bereavement grants, and scholarships. Crane says 330 first responders die in the line of duty across the country each year.
Ace Edgette, 7, is so proud of his grandpa.
His grandpa was Alan Feinberg, an aide to the battalion chief for Battalion 9. His firehouse was Engine 54/ladder 4/Battalion 9. He died on 9/11 with 15 members of his firehouse that day.
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