First Responders Children’s Foundation and T-Mobile will honor local heroes at 25 stores nationwide and provide funding to support first responder agencies and families
Jon Stewart returns to host the annual First Responders Children’s Foundation Roll Call of Heroes ceremony in Times Square on October 28 — plus, watch him surprise one of this year’s honorees in a special video
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--T-Mobile and First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF) are putting the spotlight on the heroes who serve our communities every day. The celebration kicks off October 24 with first responder appreciation events at 25 T-Mobile stores nationwide, followed by the First Responders Children’s Foundation 2026 Roll Call of Heroes ceremony in Times Square on October 28, hosted by Jon Stewart. The ceremony marks three historic milestones: FRCF’s 25th anniversary, 25 years since 9/11, and America’s 250th birthday. The event will be livestreamed at 1stRCF.org/NFRD, allowing audiences nationwide a chance to join the celebration.
“The people we honor on National First Responders Day aren't looking for recognition. They're focused on doing their jobs, saving lives, and taking care of their communities,” said Jillian Crane, President and CEO of First Responders Children’s Foundation. “By recognizing their service it means so much to the children and families who stand behind them. With T-Mobile's support, we're bringing recognition to communities across the country, giving more people a chance to celebrate their hometown heroes.”
Spotlighting First Responders in New York
This year’s First Responders Children’s Foundation Roll Call of Heroes ceremony in Times Square will honor 19 first responders, recognizing their service across fire, EMS, 911 dispatch, law enforcement and volunteer response.
New this year, the ceremony includes a medal recognizing leadership and career service with the Leadership Award, sponsored by T-Priority, powered by T-Mobile.
“We are proud to honor Chad Huff with the T-Priority Leadership Award,” said Chris Sambar, Chief Enterprise Officer, T-Mobile Business Group. “First responders like Chad dedicate their lives to being there for others, often at great personal sacrifice. Working with First Responders Children’s Foundation, we recognize their service and the families who support them. And, when their communications connectivity matters most, we are there with T-Priority, providing them with priority access to the fastest, most reliable network.”
The ceremony will also recognize New York community heroes Aaron Edwards (NYPD), Travis Langan (FDNY), Raheem Uddin (MTA Police), James Wyka (Port Authority Police Department), and New York State Troopers Gerandry Mercado and Ryan Sanchez. Five first responder leaders will also be honored for their agencies' collective response to the 2026 Spokane Complex Fires with the SERVPRO Natural Disaster Response Award: Chief Matthew Vinci, Chief Mike Nokes, Chief Tom Williams, Sheriff John Nowels and Chief Don Malone.
The full list of 2026 honorees includes:
- Leadership Award, sponsored by T-Priority, powered by T-Mobile: Chad Huff, Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services, Canton, Georgia
- Federal Law Enforcement Hero Award: Task Force Officer Shakiyl Collier, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, NY Field Office (New York, NY)
- Emergency Medical Services Hero Award: Paramedic Chris Rauzi, Eagle County Paramedic Services (Edwards, CO)
- Firefighter Hero Award: Firefighter Jason Horne, Midlothian Fire Department (Midlothian, TX)
- Volunteer Firefighter Hero Award: Volunteer Firefighter Westley Quinn, Hurricane Fire Department (Hurricane, WV)
- Junior First Responder Hero Award: Explorer Sergeant Christopher Alvarado, Oakland Housing Authority Police Department (Oakland, CA)
- Communications (911 Dispatch) Hero Award: Master Telecommunicator Jenny Smith, Alachua County Sheriff's Office (Gainesville, FL)
- Local Law Enforcement Hero Award: Officer Ali Sabeiha, Elyria Police Department (Elyria, OH)
- NYPD Community Hero Award: Assistant Chief Aaron Edwards, New York City Police Department
- FDNY Community Hero Award: Firefighter Travis Langan, Fire Department of New York City
- MTA PD Community Hero Award: Officer Raheem Uddin, Metropolitan Transit Authority Police Department
- PAPD Community Hero Award: Detective James Wyka, Port Authority Police Department
- NY State Trooper Community Hero Award: Trooper Gerandry Mercado and Trooper Ryan Sanchez, New York State Police
- Natural Disaster Response Award, sponsored by SERVPRO: Chief Matthew Vinci (Spokane County Fire Department District 9), Chief Mike Nokes (Spokane County Fire Department District 4), Chief Tom Williams (Spokane City Fire Department), Chief Don Malone (Spokane City Fire Department District 10), and Sheriff John Nowels (Spokane County Sheriff's Office).
“First responders are there for us during some of the hardest moments of our lives, and I think it's important that we show up for them, too,” said Jon Stewart. “I'm proud to be back for a second year to help honor these heroes and the work they do every day. I'm grateful to First Responders Children's Foundation and for helping shine a light on those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities safe.”
Bringing the Celebration Home
The celebration comes to communities nationwide on October 24, when FRCF and T-Mobile will host first responder appreciation events at 25 T-Mobile stores nationwide from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (local time). Local first responders, T-Mobile employees — including retired first responders — and neighbors will come together for free food, games, giveaways, photo opportunities and emergency vehicle displays at select locations. Gratitude Walls will allow participants to leave personalized messages of thanks.
In addition, T-Mobile will contribute $125,000 to FRCF to support local first responder agencies and families through scholarships, mental health counseling, bereavement grants, disaster relief, emergency financial assistance and community engagement.
Showing Up for First Responders, Every Day
Founded in the wake of 9/11, FRCF has spent 25 years standing alongside first responders and their families, providing support that extends far beyond moments of crisis. From helping children pursue their education to providing resources for families facing loss, financial hardship or natural disasters, the Foundation works to ensure those who dedicate their lives to serving others have a community of support behind them.
For T-Mobile, that support also extends to first responders on the job. Through T-Priority, T-Mobile allows first responders priority access across every 5G band of the T-Mobile network, even in times of extreme network congestion, helping them stay connected when it matters most. Together, FRCF and T-Mobile are helping care for the people who care for our communities, both on and off the job.
Learn more about T-Mobile’s work with first responders at www.t-priority.com and FRCF at www.1stRCF.org.
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About T-Mobile
As the supercharged Un-carrier, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is powered by an award-winning nationwide 5G Advanced network that connects more people, in more places, than ever before. With T-Mobile’s unique value proposition of best network, best value and best experiences, the Un-carrier is redefining connectivity and fueling competition while continuing to drive the next wave of innovation in wireless, broadband and beyond. Headquartered in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile. For more information, visit https://www.t-mobile.com.
About First Responders Children's Foundation:
First Responders Children's Foundation is a national nonprofit that provides programs and resources that address the specific needs of first responders and their families. The Foundation focuses on five key areas: Scholarships, Financial Assistance Grants, Natural Disaster Relief, Mental Health Resiliency with free counseling, and Community Engagement. The Foundation was founded 25 years ago in response to 9/11 when 800 children lost a first responder parent and today uplifts all children of first responders across the country. Additional information about FRCF can be found at www.1stRCF.org and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @1strcf.
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