A decorated police veteran has started the ‘Fund the First’ platform with the intention of raising funds for struggling military members and first responders.
Robert Garland is an NYPD detective who decided to come up with a solution for first responders in need after seeing the need for a “secure online platform” where beneficiaries are verified and cases thoroughly vetted.
As the initiative’s website explains, the platform represents “a simple and trusted way to support first responders” whereas “every campaign is verified to ensure your money goes to the right person.”
According to the site, “many of the campaigns seen on large crowdfunding sites are actually scams” whereas people behind them claim to be first responders in order to gain “attention and sympathy” and raise more money.
“Each day, first responders put their lives on the line not only to protect the public, but to protect our way of life. Unfortunately, while first responders are the first to a crisis, they’re also often the first to be left behind,” the page reads.
“We are first responders ourselves, and we’ve experienced this firsthand. We founded Fund the First to provide other first responders with a trusted place to get the support they need, when they need it.”
Standing by their ‘verified crowdfunding’ statement, Fund the First vows to pay the beneficiaries directly after identity verification and the end of the campaign.
Speaking to Associated Press about the initiative, Garland, who serves as the CEO of the platform, suggested first responders and their families deserve our help.
“Our nation’s first responders put their lives and livelihoods on the line every day for all of us. That has been no better displayed than during the Coronavirus crisis over the past three months,” Mr. Garland told Associated Press.
“Our first responders need help to deal with losses due to injury or illness.
Their families need assistance when first responders make the ultimate sacrifice and die on the job. We are here to make sure that first responders in need are not exploited. We are here to make sure they are helped.”
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Replaced!