Posts Tagged Ende Menzer Walsh and Quinn Retirees’ Widows’ and Children’s Assistance Fund

Chicago Fire Department news

Excerpts from nbc chicago.com:

On Sunday, several families of fallen Chicago firefighters received a much needed helping hand from a fund dedicated to providing assistance to those in need.

“I was so grateful for everything the fire department did,” Julie Capuano, whose husband was killed fighting a fire in 2015, said.

Over the last two years, the Capuano’s are one of many families that has received assistance from the fire department’s EMWQ Fund, which helps the families of fallen firefighters.

In 2017, the EMWQ Fund raised more than $638,000, and numerous families received assistance from the program.

The fund has been helping families for more than a decade, raising nearly $8 million through payroll deductions and from partnerships with a variety of organizations and companies, including the Chicago Blackhawks.

Even though the money helps to pay bills and to keep food on the table, those receiving the grants are still focused on trying to live one day at a time while coping with devastating loss.

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Chicago Fire Department news (more)

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

“It is our sad duty to report the passing of Chicago Fire Department Office of Fire Investigations Chief Michael V. Murphy,” the department said in a statement.

Murphy, 56, was taking part in an aquatic event at Mount Carmel High School on the South Side with his 16-year-old son when he suffered a massive heart attack.

Murphy joined the department in October of 1996, achieved the rank of deputy district chief, and was named the commanding fire marshal in February of 2015. He headed up the Office of Fire Investigations, in charge of determining the cause and origin of fires in Chicago.

Murphy was the catalyst for the newly passed city ordinance that requires the victims of vehicle fires to report them to the fire and police departments for investigation before any insurance claims are made. The department says that the new law has already been credited for a decrease in fraudulent insurance claims involving car fires.

Murphy leaves his wife Sarah, daughter Clare, and sons John and Will. Funeral arrangements are pending.  Chief Murphy would have turned 57 on July 31.

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Chicago Fire Department news

Excerpts from dnainfo.com:

Chicago Fire Department Chief Michael Murphy, 56, died Sunday after attending a water polo match at Mount Carmel High School in Woodlawn.

Murphy, a Beverly resident, is survived by his wife, Sarah, and their three children — Clare, John and William.

Murphy’s son Will is a captain on the Caravan’s water polo team, and they were participating in a father-son water polo match on Sunday at the school.

The Ende, Menzer, Walsh & Quinn Retirees’, Widows’ and Children’s Assistance Fund will provide financial assistance to Murphy’s children, said Bill Sullivan, who works for the group dedicated to widows and orphans of Chicago Fire Department personnel.

Funeral arrangements are are pending.

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Commemorative beer can to support local charity

Excerpts from Firehouse.com:

After a successful debut last fall, Old Style will salute Chicago’s heroes once again with the limited-release commemorative can. Old Style is proud to support those who heroically defend this great city and their families. Proceeds from each case sold will benefit Ende, Menzer, Walsh and Quinn (EMWQ) Retirees’, Widows’ and Children’s Assistance Fund, a local organization that provides annual financial assistance to the neediest widows and orphans of members of the Chicago Fire Department.

This is the second year of the commemorative can, after having a successful debut last fall for a limited-time only and becoming an instant collectable for Chicagoans, Old Style enthusiasts and those who work for or honor the Chicago Fire Department. New this year, the limited run (July through early September or while supplies last) commemorative can will be available in 24-packs, 12-packs, and 16 ounce cans, with Old Style donating a minimum of $10,000 and up to $20,000 to the organization.

Old Style has a long and storied history with the city of Chicago. Showing its dedication to the community that has generously supported the brand throughout the years, Old Style launched the Chicago Heroes program to pay tribute to the hard-working men and women who keep Chicago safe and protected every day. The commemorative can, adorned with an image of a firefighter and details about the organization, is available at retailers throughout Chicagoland.

“When we launched the Chicago Heroes program last year, it was a unique way for us to pay tribute to the everyday heroes who don’t get thanked enough for all of their courageous work,” said Dan McHugh, CMO for Pabst Brewing Co. “We selected EMWQ Assistance Fund as our partner for this initiative because we’ve been so impressed with their work and the tremendous support they provide to Chicago firefighters and their families. The funds raised from last year’s commemorative can made a significant impact on those who received donations, and it’s such an honor that we can do something truly meaningful. We look forward to re-launching the can, and once again seeing Chicagoans embrace it and the cause.”

The final donation from last year’s limited run went on to assist several Chicagoland families, helping those who received contributions put money toward their children’s education, pay off outstanding bills, and in general continue to be able to afford day-to-day necessities. This year, Old Style hopes to help even more families with the program expanding to the 12- and 24-pack Old Style 12 oz. cases.

EMWQ Retirees’, Widows’ and Children’s Assistance Fund works each year to identify the families and children most in need of monetary donations. An annual gift is presented to the neediest widows – those who receive a pension of $1,000 to $1,500 a month and many without social security – as well as an annual gift to the orphaned children of members of the Chicago Fire Department. The organization also provides immediate assistance to the children of an active member who passed away in the line of duty or off duty. A 22-year-old organization, the EMWQ Assistance Fund has donated more than $10 million dollars over the years through the generous support of the community, the annual charity softball event and more.

 

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