Here’s How You Can Help The Family Of Fallen Officer Wenjian Liu
As we reported yesterday, the city is reeling from the shooting deaths of two NYPD officers, Officer Rafael Ramos and Officer Wenjian Liu, who were murdered Saturday in a presumed revenge attack for the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown. Officer Liu was our neighbor, and his devastated widow and parents still live in Gravesend. Many readers have inquired on how they might help the Liu family, so we looked into it.
To express condolences, Assemblyman Bill Colton and District Leader Nancy Tong have offered to deliver condolence cards to Officer Liu’s wake, which they will likely attend. The Liu family has requested privacy during this difficult time, so this is the best way to reach out. Feel free to drop off flowers or cards at the Assemblyman Colton’s office (155 Kings Highway) at any time. An exact date for the funeral has not been determined, as the family is waiting for relatives in China to secure visas.
Neighbors are also asked to consider donating to a foundation that will benefit the Liu family. When Governor Andrew Cuomo asked the family what could be done to help, he said they told him they needed help paying their mortgage. The Stephen Siller Tunnels to Towers Foundation, which was founded in 2001 to aid the families of fallen firefighters with their mortgages after 9/11, has offered to step in. Tunnels to Towers announced today that it would immediately take over the mortgages of both officers – but every donation counts!
Here is how you can contribute to Tunnels to Towers, as well as two other charities that have offered to aid the families of the Officer Liu and Officer Ramos.
1. For information on the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the scope of its work please visit their website.
The website will be live by 5 p.m. today and will accept donations directed solely to the families of Officers Liu and Ramos towards the purchase of their homes. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation will also be holding a press conference on Friday December 26th to provide more details.
2. The Patrolmen’s Benevolent Foundation has a Widows’ and Children’s Fund that supports the families of fallen officers.
To donate, you can send a check made payable to the NYC PBA Widows’ and Children’s Fund to:
Michael Morgillo or Joseph Alejandro
C/O Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association
125 Broad Street, 11th Floor,
New York, NY, 10004-2400.
Put Ramos and Liu’s names in the memo line of the check in order to ensure your donation reaches their families.
3. The New York Daily New Charities has started a fund to help the Ramos and Liu families.
The paper has donated $10,000 to each family and is inviting New Yorkers to contribute via PayPal. People can also send payments electronically to Daily News Charities, account number 9387-575-837, routing number 021-000-322, or make checks payable to Daily News Charities, Inc. and mail to:
Daily News Charities
(For the Ramos and Liu families)
New York Daily News
4 New York Plaza
New York NY 10004