Families Behind the Badge Children's Foundation

Special thank you to Garnet Hathaway and the Philadelphia Flyers Charities for hosting some of our beneficiary families at their Carnival yesterday! It was a wonderful day full of smiles and memories made. We’d also like to thank Garnet for his continued support to FBBCF through his Hath’s Heroes program. We’re fortunate to have Garnet here in Philly who wholeheartedly supports our incredible first responders and pays tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our communities.

Tickets are still available at TroopersUnited.org/NJCSIA Please join us as we present the Alan Picker Civilian Service Award to: Jack Costello – Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation (FBBCF) Mark O’Connor – Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation (FBBCF) The Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that serves the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey area. The mission of the foundation is three-fold: First?– to provide financial relief to the families of fallen and critically injured first responders at their time of greatest grief and highest need. Second?– through our Police Youth Alliance Program, which was created by the foundation to connect cops and kids by spearheading non-enforcement, positive programs to change the dynamic between police officers and the communities they serve and to help diminish the mistrust that presently exists.? Third?- to provide mental health and wellbeing resources to first responders and their families. Founded in 2007, the FBBCF’s efforts are funded by their signature event, the Ben to The Shore Bike Tour, formerly known as the Tour de Shore Charity Bike Ride, which is a 65-mile bicycle ride from Philadelphia to Atlantic City.?The ride started with 20 cyclists in the first year and grew to 2,300 riders in 2024, raising $1.45 million. This ride has become a summer staple in the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey community.?To date, the FBBCF has raised over $14 million for the children of the fallen heroes in the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey community with over 80% of proceeds going directly to the families of fallen first responders and the Police Youth Alliance program. This year’s Ben to The Shore Bike Tour will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2025 Visit www.Ben2Shore.org to register “The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.” - Albert Einstein - #Ben2theShore #JackCostello #MarkOConnor #FBBCF #NJCSIA #NJHIA #NJMINJA #TUF

Exciting News! For the first time ever, The Ben to The Shore Bike Tour is introducing a 10-mile ride from Galloway, NJ to Atlantic City! Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just looking for a fun, achievable challenge, this new route is perfect for everyone! Don’t miss your chance to be part of something special, register now and be part of?#WhyWeRide. Register at:?ben2shore.org #WhyWeRide?#Ben2Shore?#FBBCF

Are you ready to ride? Registration is now open for our 38th annual The Ben to The Shore Bike Tour on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Register today at Ben2Shore.org. Register today to be among the first riders to secure your spot for this year’s event. Registration is only $30 if you register by March 31st. New this year, participants can choose between our traditional 65-mile ride from Philly to Atlantic City, 30-mile option from Hammonton, NJ to AC or our newly added 10-mile course from Galloway, NJ to Atlantic City. All routes finish at the Showboat Hotel for our legendary after party. #WhyWeRide

??The question on everyone's mind this week - will Brandon Graham return... ...for the 38th Annual Ben to the Shore Bike Tour on July 20, 2025?!! Registration opens next Thursday, February 13th! ?????????? We're thankful for BG's support and hopeful that he'll be ready to play in Super Bowl LIX to finish out his incredible career by hoisting the Lombardi Trophy once more. Good luck BG and GO BIRDS!! #Ben2Shore?#WhyWeRide

With wildfires raging in California - the strength, bravery, and sacrifice of our firefighting community has received international recognition and appreciation. We continue our mission of providing mental and emotional wellbeing resources to our incredible first responder community by presenting at the Mental Health Workshop at the Philadelphia Fire Department! The workshop was organized by Thomas Kane of the PFD and our good friends, Steve Cohen & Dr. Melissa Rice, as part of the First Responder Suicide Prevention Symposium project. The workshop featured sessions on signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, peer support, and active listening sessions. We sponsored Jennifer Boileau's sessions on iRest meditation and self care. We commend the PFD's commitment to providing mental and emotional support for the men and women of the department and look forward to working together on future programs!

FBBCF was proud to present at today's Central Police Division's Leadership Symposium at the Philadelphia Police Department. Board President Bob White, Executive Director Mark O'Connor, and Associate Director Jack Costello were joined by Karen M. Allen, an author and subject matter expert to speak about growth mindset, innovation and creativity in leadership, and organizational culture. Thank you and kudos to Chief Inspector Winton Singletary, Inspector Matt Gillespie, and Lt. Dana Bradley for organizing the event!

Upcoming Events with Families Behind the Badge Children's Foundation: Get ready for an exciting lineup of events to kick off 2025! Here’s how you can join us in supporting first responders and their families: ?? Day Off on the Slopes ?? Monday, January 27, 2025 ?? Bear Creek Mountain Resort (101 Doe Mountain Lane, Lehigh Valley, PA) Hit the slopes and enjoy a day of fun in the snow! Discounted lift tickets and happy hour packages will be available on-site, with proceeds benefiting FBBCF. No pre-registration required—just show up and join the fun! ?? Guest Bartender Night at Spicy’s Bar ?? Saturday, January 18, 2025 ?? Spicy’s Bar (141 Rowan Blvd, Glassboro, NJ) Cheer on Phillies broadcaster and FBBCF supporter Gregg Murphy as he takes over the bar! Tip proceeds will support FBBCF. Don’t miss this opportunity for great drinks and a great cause. ?? Law Enforcement Family Workshop ?? Sunday, January 26, 2025 ?? Sweet Java Cafe, Roxborough, PA Our friends at Beyond the Uniform are hosting a workshop for law enforcement officers and their spouses, offering support and resources tailored to their needs. We can't wait for you to join us! #FamiliesBehindTheBadge #FBBCF #SupportFirstResponders #CommunityEvents #BenToTheShore #MakingADifference

??♀? Save the Date: The 38th Annual Ben to the Shore Bike Tour ??♂? Get ready to ride! Mark your calendars for Sunday, July 20, 2025, and join us for one of the most inspiring events of the year. This iconic 65-mile ride from Philadelphia to Atlantic City brings together over 2,000 riders, volunteers, and supporters—all united to benefit Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation and the first responders who protect our communities. ?? Registration opens soon—stay tuned for updates! Together, we’ll honor the service and sacrifice of first responders while making memories that last a lifetime. Who’s ready to ride? #Ben2Shore #WhyWeRide

Reflecting on a Monumental Year at Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation As we look back on 2024, we are filled with gratitude for the support that made this year truly historic for FBBCF. Together, we expanded our mission, reached more families, and strengthened our community initiatives. Here’s what we achieved: ?? Immediacy Grants: Supporting families of fallen and critically injured first responders remains our core mission. In 2024, we provided 10 grants, honoring heroes like Trooper Bryan Gray and Officer Anthony Scena IV. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. ??♂? Police Youth Alliance: Celebrating 10 years of fostering trust and relationships between youth and law enforcement, we supported initiatives like the PSP Reading Program, Get Out and Grind, and holiday events that bring communities together. ?? Mental & Emotional Wellbeing: Our new pillar focuses on mental health resources for first responders. From the First Responder Suicide Prevention Symposium to #MentalHealthMondays, we’re making a difference in reducing stress and promoting wellness. ??♀? Ben to the Shore Bike Tour: Thanks to over 2,200 riders, we raised a record-breaking $1.45M! Proceeds funded 46 community organizations and supported countless initiatives. ?? Community Events: From youth programs to holiday celebrations, partnerships with athletes like Kyle Schwarber and Brandon Graham amplified our reach and impact. Thank YOU for being a part of this journey. Every grant, event, and milestone is a testament to your unwavering support. Let’s make 2025 another year of growth, gratitude, and giving back. #FamiliesBehindTheBadge #FBBCF #SupportFirstResponders #MentalHealthMatters #CommunityImpact