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Health & Fitness

Russ Belleci of Forli's In Alamo - Music Tribute to Honor The Fallen Heroes - Kenyon Youngstrom

What a wonderful way to end September than with a Music Tribute to benefit the most recent fallen Officer Kenyon Youngstrom Fund.

What a wonderful way to end September than with a Music Tribute to benefit the most recent fallen Officer Kenyon Youngstrom Fund. Russ Belleci and Andrea Belleci of Forli’s were our gracious and generous hosts, and they did a great job coordinating this full house event.

The Fallen Heroes is a non-profit 501 (C) (3) organization was founded three years ago. Their desire was to honor the fallen public officers of the Police, Highway Patrol, Deputy Sheriffs and Fire Fighters, under one umbrella for the entire state of California. Their mission is to provide support for the surviving families of peace officers and firefighters who die in the line of duty, in essence, "to serve those who served."

Unfortunately, the most recent Fallen Hero, Officer Kenyon Youngstrom, was killed locally on highway 680 at the Alamo exit in a shootout. He left behind a wife and four children. The organization understands the daily sacrifice these brave public servants make and the ultimate sacrifice they may pay one day with their life, but more importantly, they know the loneliness, emptiness, indignation and the sense of great loss this leaves the surviving families with.

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Knowing that absolutely nothing can replace that loss for a surviving spouse and their children, Police and Fire The Fallen Heroes work to be there for them, to protect, and support the families that are left behind. They have expanded that support with an educational fund to award scholarships for the children, with the first awards to be given out in June of 2013. It takes a hero and a brave heart to say yes to serve. It also takes an organization with heart to support them, after the fact, and Police and Fire The Fallen Heroes exists to answer that call for the trauma of the families left behind.

To marry that support, Russ Belleci and Andrea Belleci (his daughter) of Forlis Ristorante in Alamo, CA dedicated a night with a  Music Celebration, where 20% of ticket sales went to Officers Yongstroms Fund.  Russ is big on supporting the Fallen Heroes, and he showed his big heart last Sunday night with this fund raiser. He gave a speech to dedicate and honor Officer Youngstrom, and so did Tim Gallinatti, CEO of The Fallen Heroes, who brought light to the organization by honoring Officer Kenyon Youngstown, supporting for the surviving family, and acknowledging how much it meant to him to receive Russ Belleci’s support. Also, Public Information Officer "Hector The Protector" gave a testimony of how much Officer Youngstrom meant to him and others. Russ provided an all you can eat menu at Forli’s, and we thank him for his generosity and belief in an organization that does so much to help our fallen heroes.

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For myself, my late father’s best friends in San Francisco were Police officers; I use to baby sit their kids and learned a lot from the stay with their stay at home moms. I also understood, at a very young age, the stress the wives endured from having peace officer husbands. Currently, I got involved with the organization through Russ Belleci and met Tom Gallinati.

At the end of day, we go to bed safe, knowing there are peace officers and fire fighters out there who are ready, willing, and able to answer the call to serve and protect you. Cognizant of that, it begs the question, as citizens, how can we forget and neglect those they have left behind? The Fallen Heroes works hard not to forget and they recognize their duty to those who served by taking care of the families they left behind.

We give a big thank you to Russ and Andrea Belleci of Forli’s Ristorante in Alamo CA, never forgetting to give their love and support to the community.

Join us and don’t you get left behind in supporting the Police and Fire The Fallen Heroes and go to http://www.thefallenheroes.org. Make a donation, for the Organization, or directly for the Youngstrom Family, and check out their special events and other ways you may get involved.

By Mary Ann Cadorna

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