Philly firefighters host lunch for brethrens’ widows [photos]
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<p>Firefighter academy cadets escort Eva Foley, widow of Frank Foley, into the banquet hall of Fire Fighters Local 22 for the annual widows' Thanksgiving luncheon. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Philadelphia Firefighters Local 22 President Bill Gault and Joseph Tracy load up some of the 120 Thanksgiving meals that will be delivered by firefighters. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>John Udovich, a volunteer from the firefighters academy, waits on widows Vivian Jordan (left) and Marie Bonner at the annual Thanksgiving luncheon for widows of fallen firefighters. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Philadelphia firefighter cadet Maurice Putnam dances with Carol Maruschak at the annual Thanksgiving luncheon for firefighter's widows at Local 22 on 5th Street. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Joan White, widow of firefighter Ed White, laughs while she holds her grandson, Myan McGill at the annual Thanksgiving luncheon for widows. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Widows of Philadelphia firefighters gather at Local 22 on North Fifth Street for the annual pre-Thanksgiving luncheon. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)</p>
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<p>Diane Neary, whose husband Robert died in a warehouse fire in April, attends the annual Thanksgiving luncheon for the widows of firefighters. She is accompanied by Alice Brennan (left) and Vivian Jordan. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)</p>
Thanksgiving came early at Fifth and Callowhill streets today.
Philadelphia firefighters served lunch at the Local 22 union hall to 68 widows of fallen Philly firefighters.Philadelphia firefighter cadet Maurice Putnam dances with Carol Maruschak at the annual thanksgiving luncheon for firefighter’s widows at Local 22 on 5th Street. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
The union raised money through fundraisers and private donations to pull off the event. Aside from the lunch, 120 families will get Thanksgiving baskets, and 795 firefighter widows will get $150 to help with the holidays.
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