John T. Chambers, Chairman and CEO Cisco
and the Honorable Rudolph Giuliani.
Photo by www.AnnieWatt.com (NLEAFCF)
New York, NY – Sept. 23, 2013 – The National Law Enforcement and Firefighters Children’s Foundation (NLEAFCF) raised nearly $500,000 at its its inaugural Hero Awards Gala on Monday, September 23, 2013 at the Edison Ballroom in New York City, with cocktails at 6PM followed by dinner and an awards ceremony with over 300 guests in attendance. The NLEAFCF presented the “Corporate Hero” Award to John Chambers, Cisco Chairman and CEO and the “Public Service Hero” Award to the Honorable Rudolph Giuliani. Award-winning journalist, best-selling author and television personality Joan Lunden was the Emcee. Celebrated stage and screen actress Holland Taylor served as Special Auctioneer at the event. The awards are designed to honor distinguished individuals and corporations whose work and passion support the efforts of our nation’s first responders. Proceeds from the event help to underwrite NLEAFCF’s ongoing scholarship and grant programs.
Created in the aftermath of “9/11” by Alfred Kahn, Chairman & CEO of CraneKahn LLC, the NLEAFCF serves the needs of children and families nationwide affected by a line of duty death or permanent disability. “I created this Foundation with the mission of helping the heroes of tomorrow – the children of our brave firefighters and law enforcement officers injured or lost in the line of duty, said Kahn. “We are committed to providing long-term assistance to these children of our fallen heroes,” added Kahn.
The Co-Chairs included Nick Adamo, SVP of The Americas, Cisco; and Alfred R. Kahn & Jillian Crane. Vice Chairs are Eric Hatzimemos, Managing Partner, Giuliani Partners; Laurence A. Levy, Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP; Jacqueline & James Rosinsky; and Charles V. Salice. Also attending was US Congresswoman, Carolyn Maloney.
John Chambers is Chairman and CEO of Cisco. Cisco has worked closely with government, first-responders and non-profits to respond to disaster incidents by donating time, services and equipment to improve communications and collaboration in times of emergency. In particular, Cisco’s Tactical Operations Team is trained to support emergency response situations and deploys regularly to sites across the country. Cisco is being honored for its exemplary work after Hurricane Katrina, the attacks on 9-11 and, most recently, after Hurricane Sandy to ensure a more coordinated response and to help communities get back on their feet.
Chambers has received numerous awards for his leadership over his past 18 years at the helm of Cisco, for his and Cisco's philanthropic activities. Chambers received the U.S. State Department's top corporate social responsibility award (ACE) twice, from both Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2010 and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in 2005. He also received the first-ever Clinton Global Citizen Award from former U.S. President Bill Clinton, and has been awarded the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship, and the prestigious Excellence in Corporate Philanthropy Award, an award given by CEOs to their CEO peers.
The Honorable Rudolph Giuliani was mayor of New York City from 1994-2002. Under his leadership, New York City became the best-known example of the resurgence of urban America. From his success at cleaning up Times Square and other public spaces around the City to closing the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island, Mayor Giuliani worked tirelessly to pass New York to the next generation better and more beautiful than it was before he entered office. He served as mayor during the September 11th terrorist attacks in 2001 and drew praise for his extraordinary leadership during an unprecedented crisis. Arriving on the scene within minutes of the second plane crash, he coordinated rescue operations that saved as many as 20,000 lives and emerged as the national voice of reassurance and consolation – America’s Mayor.
Joan Lunden truly exemplifies today’s modern working woman. An award-winning journalist, bestselling author, motivational speaker, successful entrepreneur, and one of America’s most recognized and trusted television personalities, this mom of seven continues to do it all. As host of “Good Morning America” for nearly two decades, Lunden brought insight to top issues for millions of Americans each day. The longest running host ever on early morning television, Lunden reported from 26 countries, covered 4 presidents and 5 Olympics and kept Americans up to date on how to care for their homes, their families and themselves.
Actress Holland Taylor was most recently nominated for a Tony Award for her performance as Governor Ann Richards in “Ann,” which she also wrote. Holland won the Supporting Actress in Drama Emmy for “The Practice,” and was nominated for comedy Emmys for her Hedda-Hopper-esque columnist on AMC’s “The Lot” and Charlie Sheen’s hellish mother in “Two and a Half Men.”
Proceeds from the Hero Awards Gala will fund NLEAFCF’s ongoing scholarship and grants programs, affording much needed financial support to the children of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Underwriters of the event will also be sponsoring tables for our first responders so that our uniformed heroes, in addition to our honorees, will be acknowledged for their ongoing service and sacrifice.
ABOUT NLEAFCF
The NLEAFCF is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that provides financial support to both children who have lost a parent in the line of duty, and to families in times of significant financial hardship due to tragic circumstances. Support is in the form of educational scholarships; special needs grants and family friendly events. In addition, the NLEAFCF provides grants to programs created and operated by law enforcement and firefighting organizations whose purpose is to educate children and benefit their local communities.
For more information about the National Law Enforcement & Firefighters Children’s Foundation,
please visit www.nleafcf.org
please visit www.nleafcf.org
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