Our Reason for Being…

In Memory of Christopher, with Love

Following in the footsteps of his Firefighter father, Christopher Santora was a member of Engine 54/Ladder 4 for only 2 months before he lost his life tragically on 9/11. Before he signed up for the FDNY Fire Academy, he’d already followed in the footsteps of his mother as a teacher in the NYC Public School system. No grass grew under his feet, as they say. Christopher had a certain, special “something.”

In memory and celebration of Christopher and the special person he was, the Firefighter Christopher Santora Educational Scholarship Fund is dedicated to the continuing education of young American students from all walks of life who have something special about them as well.

We award scholarships not based on school grades, or recommendations, or academic successes. In fact, we never even know to whom we’re awarding the scholarships until we’ve determined the winners. So how do we pick our scholars?

2012 Essay Question Announced

Posted in the “Scholarship Fund” section on January 14th, 2012

The question for the 2012 Essay contest was recently announced. School/Firehouse eligibility info and more can be found on our scholarships page. You can see the essay question itself here.

If you are eligible to enter the Essay Contest this year, you should review the question carefully and give it your best shot.

Good Luck!

We Remember

Posted in the “Books” section on June 4th, 2010

My third book, We Remember, is a special keepsake. When I decided to begin the project asking family members to write about their loved ones as they were growing up, I wanted to make sure that the families understood how important this legacy would be to future generations. It was a difficult request to ask parents and siblings to write about their sons and daughters and brothers and sisters. Putting into words what was important brought myriad emotions. I was aware that wounds would be opened, but I also knew that when the story was written all who participated would be glad that they had made the effort.

The Day the Towers Fell

Posted in the “Books” section on January 28th, 2009

“The Day the Towers” Fell was written to help explain what happened on September 11, 2001. This book tries to explain the horrors of 9/11 in a less graphic way. It was written with love by a 27–year NYC Public School teacher/childhood educator who is also the mother of one of the 343 Firefighters who lost their lives that day.

My Son Christopher

Posted in the “Books” section on January 27th, 2009

“My Son Christopher” is the story of a mother’s unconditional love for her son. “No matter what he ever did I loved him because he was my son,” the author, Maureen Crethan Santora, explains.

Written for the 5–8 year old age group, this is a book that seeks to nurture and reassure, something all of our children can use more of.

Interview with Maureen and Al on the death of bin Laden

Posted in the “Site News” section on August 27th, 2011

Maureen and Al shared their thoughts on the death of Osama bin Laden with the Al Jazeera network.

Earliest of Scholarship Winners About to Complete Graduate School

Posted in the “Site News” section on June 2nd, 2011

Stephen Bono was one of the first recipients of the Firefighter Christopher Santora Educational Scholarships. All these years later he's completing his Masters in film at NYU's Tisch School.

What’s New?

Maureen & Al with Shepard Smith

Discuss 9/11 Families Meeting with Pres. Obama

Posted in the “Site News” section on May 5th, 2011

Click through to view the complete video.

No Mosque at Ground Zero

Is it possible to be astonished, but not surprised?

Posted in the “Site News” section on August 16th, 2010

Video from Pat Condell, British comedian, on the Ground Zero mosque controversy. Except he’s not being funny, he’s being very, very serious. It’s worth your 6 minutes. Trust us.

Welcome, Townsend Harris High School Students & Families

Posted in the “Scholarship Fund” section on January 14th, 2012

We are glad that you have found your way to this page. It means that you’re taking the next step towards learning more about the possibility of a substantial scholarship towards your education.

Welcome, Bayside High School Students & Families

Bayside High School holds a special place in our ♥'s!

Posted in the “Scholarship Fund” section on January 14th, 2012

Welcome, Bayside High School Students & Families

We are glad that you have found your way to this page. It means that you’re taking the next step towards learning more about the possibility of a substantial scholarship towards your education.

CCC Scholarship Information

Posted in the “Scholarship Fund” section on January 14th, 2012

If you are a graduating 2012 High School Senior with at least a ‘B’ average in Social Studies, an American Citizen, a full-time resident of one of the Co‑Ops listed and have contributed via time or talent to your community, you are eligible to enter for a chance to win $8,000 towards College.

Entry deadline is February 10th, 2012, so hurry!

FDNY Scholarship Information

Posted in the “Scholarship Fund” section on January 14th, 2012

If you are a graduating 2012 High School Senior with at least a “B” average in Social Studies and your FDNY active duty parent is stationed at one of the eligible Firehouses, you are eligible to enter for a chance to win $8,000 towards College.

Entry deadline is February 10th, 2012, so hurry!

Welcome, LIC Students & Families

Long Island City High School holds a special place in our ♥'s!

Posted in the “Scholarship Fund” section on January 14th, 2012

We are glad that you have found your way to this page. It means that you’re taking the next step towards learning more about the possibility of a substantial scholarship towards your education.

A Special Book Recommendation

We thought that Christopher would have loved this book!

Posted in the “Site News” section on June 27th, 2011

I met Gerald Meunier at a recent book publishing summit I attended to promote my books. He has written a wonderful book that I believe Christopher would have loved. I would like to recommend it to all of the site visitors as a great read. Please take a look at the book synopsis here. We think you’ll like it too!

New Video: Sacrificed Survivors: The Untold Story of the Ground Zero Mosque

Posted in the “Site News” section on November 6th, 2010

A new video purports to shed light on the motives behind the proposed mega-mosque planned by the Cordoba Initiative for construction near the site of Ground Zero.

What’s Up With That?

Posted in the “Site News” section on January 24th, 2010

Early in January the Huffington Post reported on International Living’s 30th annual “Quality of Life Index.” France ranked #1 and the image used as that country’s national symbol was, of course, the Eiffel Tower. The United States placed seventh and symbolizing us wasn’t the US Capitol or the Empire State Building; it was the missing World Trade Center…

It would be hard to imagine a worse message to send the world than a 1776-foot tombstone and the “largest manmade falls in North America” — whose roar will recall the horrifying sound of crumbling towers — instead of the simple, stirring memorial that belongs there. They might as well include a neon sign flashing “Second-Class Country.” A headline about a mock-up of the morbid memorial falls in the 1/23/10 New York Post read: “9/11 shrine’s cascade of grief begins flowing!” Who thinks we’ve become the kind of country that enshrines grief? Whose doing is that? Not the people’s — that’s for sure.

Rebels With a Cause

Group Seeks to Ensure Rank and Title Appear with Names of 9/11 Responders

Posted in the “Site News” section on September 13th, 2009

Mayor Bloomberg, along with the 9/11 Memorial Planning Board, have long proposed that the Ranks and Titles of First Responders be stripped from the Memorial, and that they not be grouped separately as FDNY or PAPD or NYPD, etc. Rather, they would have the Rank-less and Title-less First Responder names be mixed amongst those of all of the deceased, so as not to “single them out” for extraordinary notice.

Please support the group ”911 Rank-Title Matter For All” in any way you can.

Learn more about this Group…

From our 9/11 Headlines Page…

Most Recent News Post:

Silverstein to call a halt at 3 WTC

Unable to line up tenants, developer to cap his second Trade Center tower at seventh floor.

LARRY SILVERSTEIN: wants an 80-story tower, but can't yet show he can fill it.

Developer Larry Silverstein is planning to halt construction by the end of the year on the second of the two towers he is currently building at the World Trade Center site if he can't find a major office tenant, sources close to the company said.

Minor modifications have already been made to the ongoing construction of the tower that will allow it to be capped at the seventh floor—73 short of its planned height. Retail tenants would be sought for the seven-story podium.

If Mr. Silverstein finds a tenant before the tower is capped, he can go ahead and complete what will be known as 3 World Trade Center, although there might be some delays, depending on when the deal is struck. The building was slated to be completed in 2015.

From Our Books Section…

Dinner Dance

The Firefighter Christopher Santora Educational Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity and your contributions are tax-deductible.

The Firefighter Christopher Santora Educational Scholarship Fund Website

Our Reason for Being…

In Memory of Christopher, with Love

Featured Items

What’s New?

Discuss 9/11 Families Meeting with Pres. Obama

Is it possible to be astonished, but not surprised?

Bayside High School holds a special place in our ♥'s!

Long Island City High School holds a special place in our ♥'s!

We thought that Christopher would have loved this book!

Group Seeks to Ensure Rank and Title Appear with Names of 9/11 Responders

Most Recent News Post:

Unable to line up tenants, developer to cap his second Trade Center tower at seventh floor.

Pick A Year to View…