More than $17,000 was pledged for the families of New York State Trooper Joseph Longobardo and Donald Baker Jr, as well as the PBA’s Signal 30 Fund in a telethon held Tuesday night on NewsChannel 13 in Albany. The telethon was also held in conjunction with sister news stations in Buffalo, NY and Erie, Pa.

During the 5 pm, 5:30 pm and 6 pm newscasts, the PBA’s phone number and web site address were featured prominently on the air. In addition, news anchor Jim Kambrich was at the PBA office for live segments during each of the newscasts. PBA President Daniel M. De Federicis was interviewed by Kambrich, and live footage showed PBA members answering the phones during the newscasts.

The public pledged generously to the PBA’s Signal 30 Fund, and the phone lines at the PBA were ringing steadily until about 8:30 p.m. Donations continue to be accepted, and can be made by clicking on the green button on the PBA home page that reads: Donate to Signal 30 Fund: Troopers Helping Troopers.

The PBA would like to thank the public for their generosity and support. In addition, we specifically thank Tom Judge, John J. Neeley, John Kolach Jr., and Jonathan Herrick, all PBA members who volunteered their time to answer the phones during the telethon, as well as PBA First Vice President Tom Mungeer, PBA Second Vice President Gordon Warnock, and PBA Troop G & H Delegate Charles Di Santo, who also answered phones during the telethon.

PHOTO CAPTIONS (click on the photos to enlarge them):

1)      PBA members and representatives answer calls on all of the PBA’s phone lines during the telethon.

2)      PBA President Dan De Federicis, at left, is interviewed by News Channel 13 anchor Jim Kambrich

3)      PBA Troop G & H Delegate Charles Di Santo, left, and PBA First Vice President Thomas Mungeer, right, take pledges

4)      PBA Second Vice President Gordon Warnock answers the phone

5)      PBA Retiree Delegate Michael DiSilvio, standing, checks to see if PBA member Tom Judge, seated, needs more pledge sheets

6)      PBA members John Kolach Jr. and Jonathan Herrick answer calls from the public

7)      PBA member John J. Neeley answers a call