A Conversation with Al Kahn, First Responders Children's Foundation CEO and Founder
Since 2001, FRCF’s services have impacted more than 700,000 families and 1.4 million children.
An icon in the field of children’s entertainment licensing, Al Kahn has forged a prestigious career marketing major brands such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh! to millions of Americans. He’s also done a world of good as the man behind the First Responders Children’s Foundation, the nationally recognized organization that provides essential services and programs to first responder children and their families.
This fall, GOVX is helping to drive donations by teaming up with FRCF to bring one lucky GOVX member and three guests to the 98th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. We were fortunate enough to sit down with Mr. Kahn for an in-depth discussion on his foundation and more.
GOVX
Coming from a legendary licensing and marketing career, notably in the youth entertainment industry, what was the catalyst behind your philanthropic efforts and the founding of the First Responders Children’s Foundation?
Al Kahn
On the morning of September 11th, 2001, I received a call saying that there had been an accident at the World Trade Center. It was difficult to comprehend the magnitude of the moment as it happened. I was in a car on the West Side Highway when the second plane hit the North Tower, only then did it become clear that this was a terrorist attack. At the time, I was running a substantially large company, and in the days that followed my employees and I came together to join the rest of New York in uniting to assist in the wake of catastrophic loss.
When I found out that nearly 800 children of first responders lost a parent that day, it struck a chord with me. Having been impacted by the loss of my father at age 16, I was heartbroken that so many kids were faced with such unimaginable tragedy. I wondered what their holiday season would look like. What would happen on Thanksgiving? Christmas?
I decided that I would focus my efforts on doing what I could to make the holidays just a little more joyful for them. I drove down the Macy’s Parade route, met with the operators of ESPN Zone, and organized a Thanksgiving Day breakfast for the families of 9/11 first responders. We had over 1,300 in attendance that day.
It was a wonderful thing to see families who had lost a loved one enjoying themselves and children playing together. A year later, I started the First Responders Children’s Foundation, and now we’re looking forward to hosting our 24th breakfast. Before long, we built out the foundation to offer scholarships and emergency grants.
DAVE
Retired Firefighter – Chief Coffee Roaster
JACOB
Licensed Q Grader – Director of Coffee
GOVX
Can you tell us a little bit about your connection with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the inspiration behind hosting first responder families?
AL KAHN
I looked at the joy the parade brings to people around the world, especially those fortunate enough to enjoy it in person. It's also the benchmark in the opening of the holiday season. I would notice the looks on their faces as the floats made their way down the street, the band played, and Santa Claus ultimately made his grand appearance. It’s just pure happiness and excitement. For me, it was something that would ease the burdens felt by these children and allow them to enjoy themselves.
It’s funny, in the moment you don’t necessarily have the chance to think about the impact you’re making. When I attend the parade now, we have 1500 guests through the foundation present. We also have a play zone and a toy giveaway, and it’s become much bigger. As for the toys, we’ve given away nearly 200,000 as presents. That’s 200,000 gifts going directly to the children.
GOVX
Out of the thousands of first responder families and children to benefit from your foundation and the scholarships awarded, is there a specific beneficiary that stands out to you?
AL KAHN
If a child is ill, and their family can’t get the appropriate funds together to handle a treatment, we certainly will do everything in our power to provide an emergency grant. Now, just such a situation arose recently where the 3-year old son of a Secret Service Agent was showing development issues, more specifically, he wasn’t talking. After extensive testing, it turned out the child needed brain surgery. The family could not afford lodging in New York, our grant allowed them to stay together and close to the hospital both during the surgery and during the recovery process. The grant also covered co-payments for the child's prescriptions.
Additionally, we worked with the daughter of a 9/11 first responder who sought to carry her father’s legacy by applying for a nursing school scholarship to become an ER nurse. I had the privilege of meeting her on multiple occasions, and she was sensational in terms of how she felt about her father. She was with him during his final days, and her dream was to follow in his footsteps by being of help to other people. We were able to help support her financially through her nursing school journey, and today, I’m proud to say she’s a registered nurse.
DAVE
Retired Firefighter – Chief Coffee Roaster
JACOB
Licensed Q Grader – Director of Coffee
GOVX
Outside of entering the First Responder’s Children Foundation Macy’s Thanksgiving Day giveaway and making a donation, what are some ways GOVX members can become involved or further support the foundation?
AL KAHN
Absolutely, interested members can contact us, and we’ll get them set up with a foundation officer who will discuss volunteer services with them. Our events are all over the country, so there’s plenty of opportunities to get involved on more than just a monetary level.
GOVX
Mr. Kahn, thank you for speaking with us today, and thank you for all that you and your foundation do.
AL KAHN
Thank you.
