NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York Giants coach Jim Fassell announced Tuesday his plans to donate $250,000 to five organizations representing first responders and 9/11-related charities.

The Jim Fassel Foundation, set up in 2002 to support first responders and the families affected by the World Trade Center attacks, has raised more than $1.1 million in the seven years since September 11, 2001.

Fassel remembers exactly where he was when he first heard of the 9/11 attacks.

"I had the television on in my office when I first heard the news reports of a plane crashing into the World Trade Center," Fassel said. "A group of us ran up to the roof of Giants Stadium and could clearly see the smoke from the tower and ultimately the collapse of the first tower soon afterward."

"When I walked through the rubble of Ground Zero the following week and witnessed firsthand the full extent of the tragedy and the bravery and courage of so many people, I pledged that I'd never forget the events of that day, and I'd do what I could to help the people affected by it."

The Jim Fassel Foundation has now distributed more than $500,000 to date.

Source:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/19/sports/Names-in-the-Game.php

On the Web: http://www.jimfasselfoundation.org.