The New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund held its 33rd Annual Game and Family Day hosted by the Mets at CitiField. With former Mets player Rusty Staub, also the founder of the organization, a selected number of children of fallen heroes threw the first pitch. Cormac Fahy (son of Deputy Chief Fahy), Peter Vega (son of Detective Familia), Ryan Lemm (son of Detective Lemm), and Austin Tuozzolo (son of Sgt. Tuozzolo). Their siblings and/or their family stood by them on the mound.
One of the sweetest moments I saw during the event was with Mets closing pitcher, Addison Reed, coming out of the bullpen with Asdrubal Cabrera's bat in hand. Reed presented the bat to Austin Tuozzolo. The moment was so casual, that if you weren't looking, you would have missed the impromptu one-on-one gift exchange. Not sure what prompted the meet, but it seemed Austin wasn't sure what was happening so his mom and I were encouraging him to accept the gift from Addison Reed! Such a sweet child. Austin may have a future as a pitcher and he used all his pitching skills to throw the ball to ceremonial catcher Renee Rivera. Austin and his 4-year-old brother, Joseph, lost their father Paul, an NYPD sergeant, in a Bronx shootout last year.
Team players during an autograph session with the Answer The Call beneficiaries, were also happy to pose with Genesis Villella and her sibling twins Delilah Vega and Peter Vega. Their mother Officer Miosotis Familia, recently fell in the line of duty. Peter threw the first pitch for his family. Players that signed autographs included pitcher Steven Matz, outfielder Brandon Nimmo, catcher Renee Rivera, pitcher Paul Sewald, Fernando Salas, and pitcher Erik Goedell, Zack Wheeler.
Ryan Lemm was also honored to throw a pitch to Rivera. His father, Detective Joseph Lemm was killed on December 21, 2016 with five fellow soldiers by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. Cormac Fahy, the son of FDNY Batallion Chief Michael Fahy who passed away during a house explosion in the fall of 2016, threw a ball as well. Seeing them both nod to Rivera after the pitch, it was a very heartwarming moment.
Although the organization reminds us of how important they are in supporting many families of fallen heroes, they are also imperative in creating a fun atmosphere where the beneficiaries can come together and remember their fallen parents, siblings, and family members and friends in a happier setting. The smiles and laughter shared during the event was something to see and feel. It was humbling and glad Angelica Criscuolo Photography and other vendors answered the call to help with the event at CitiField.
Interested in helping and answer the call? Feel free to see their events here: http://www.answerthecall.org/get-involved/upcoming-events/
To donate, you can follow this link on their website: http://www.answerthecall.org/get-involved/donate/
#answerthecall #mets #citifield
About the Photographer: Angelica Criscuolo is an international wedding photographer that also shoots headshots, portraits and events and provides photo booth services and rental. She has photographed couples in Hawaii, Boston, Florida, California, Philippines, Canada, Barbados and other destination caribbean islands. Angelica continues to be published in many publications including The New York Times, The New York Daily News – Down The Aisle, Time Out New York, The Huffington Post, Staten Island Live news, Engagement 101 Magazine, Merci New York, Lela New York Weddings, Pretty Pear Bride, The Urban Style NY, Un-Jersey Bride, Engaged Wedding Blog UK, The Knot, Wedding Wire, Brides.com, The Frosted Petticoat and more! She has recently been awarded The Knot’s Best of Weddings 2013 and The Knot’s Best of Weddings 2014 and have also won the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award 2014. Angelica specializes in capturing various vital memories and her goal is to provide the best images for all couples and clients using her background in broadcast journalism and editorial technique. She utilizes natural lighting as well as off-camera lighting to ensure her clients receive beautiful photos from a Style Me Pretty type of natural look to an editorial/dramatic magazine worthy look. Angelica is also a proud member of Professional Photographer of America (PPA) and Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI). On top of capturing weddings, she also provides photo booth option for her clients called the InstaMemory Booth, which is always a hit at any event! She is married to her husband Matthew and they live in Sunnyside Queens, NYC. Angelica would love to hear from you so send an inquiry to book your wedding and engagement sessions at info@angelicacriscuolophotography.com
2008-2017 © Copyright | Angelica Criscuolo Photography| All Rights Reserved | info@angelicacriscuolophotography.com | NYC Wedding Photographer travels to New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Destination Weddings worldwide including Caribbean, Philippines, India, Europe, Polynesian Islands & more.Engagement Photographer and Luxury Boudoir photography. Photo booth rental and service. NO travel fee to San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, Boston, DC – Available for Travel.