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by Carol Ann Benanti
When former West Brighton resident Kevin Seaman decided to become one of New York City's Bravest, he thought to himself: "How could you go wrong? Be a mentor and not have to work a 9-to-5 shift Monday to Friday."
But in the end, he chose the profession because every role model he had ever grown up with was a firefighter.
Kevin now reports that the Fifth Annual Bravest Night of Comedy, a fund-raiser to benefit the Thomas Elsasser Scholarship Fund, will be Thursday evening at Queensborough Community College. Billy Bingo Denis, a retired 20-year firefighter veteran, will host and emcee the yuck-yuck event.
The Elsasser Fund was created two years after the death of Thomas Elsasser in 1990. The 19-year Fire Department of New York (FDNY) veteran succumbed to the effects of leukemia just three weeks after he was diagnosed.
The Fund assists families of people like John Halverson. This firefighter of two years was jogging when a "deranged teenager" fatally shot him in the chest. Halverson's wife, Rosalie, who was carrying twins at the time, nearly lost her life from the follow-up emotional stress.
The Elsasser Fund benefits widows and children of firefighters who pass away outside the line of duty. When a firefighter loses his life in a fire, the city provides well for his family. But the benefits are not as generous when a firefighter dies outside the line of duty.
Denis says the comedians hope to raise some $20,000 at the show.
Leighan Lord, whose father is a retired fire chief, and Nick DiPaolo will headline the show. Accompanying them will be FDNY standup comics, Kevin Seaman, Steve Alleva, Adam Lake, Jim Lawrence and Eddie Murray. Ed Sullivan, who is a retired firefighter and appears as Billy Brennan on TV's "Rescue Me," will make an appearance too.
Tickets for the show, at $20 apiece, will be sold at the door. There will also be T-shirt sales and a raffle.
Tickets may be reserved by sending an e-mail to: nycbillybingo@aol.com or by visiting the Web site www.billybingo.net. They may be picked up 30 minutes before showtime at the will-call window.
NOTHING BUT PRAISE
Speaking of firefighters, word has arrived from staffers of Stepping Stones Preschool, who have nothing but praise for city firefighters.
Students and teachers from the Huguenot school ventured over to Engine Co. 151/Ladder Co. 76, Tottenville, earlier this month. Each firefighter went out of his way to welcome the children. Since that time, the youngsters haven't been able to stop raving about the kindness the firefighters showed. The firefighters gave them a tour of their firehouse and demonstrated how to use a fire extinguisher. At the end of the day, they distributed Jolly Rancher candies to the appreciative youngsters.
Since the firefighters have extended another invitation, the preschool plans a return trip real soon.
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