Jesse Wells and A. Edwards, KFOR-TV
MOORE, Okla. — A well known financial services firm offers some heartwarming assistance for victims of the May 20th tornado.
Cantor Fitzgerald, a company that lost most of their workforce during the terrorist attack on 9/11, donated a $1,000 to every family that had a child in the Moore school district and had their home damaged or destroyed on May 20th.
Somewhere between 1,200 and 1,400 victims in Moore were eligible for the help.
At a thousand dollars each, well over a million dollars were donated, with no strings attached.
“Everything was like an earthquake and within seconds the house was gone and I was standing outside,” recalls Gina Sowah.
Gina’s home and neighborhood, like many others got wiped out by May 20th’s EF5 tornado. Many like Gina lost everything they owned.
“It’s been very tough for me,” said Gina.
“We know what loss feels like,” said Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick.
Cantor Fitzgerald occupied the top floors of the World Trade Center North Tower before it’s [sic] collapse, losing more than 650 [658] employees.
That tragedy sparked the foundation of the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund.
“I really want to put money in moms [sic] and dads [sic] hands. So they can use it how they see fit and maybe bring a little happiness to their house,” said Lutnick.
It’s not just Moore, OK. Cantor Fitzgerald’s philanthropy efforts extend way beyond Oklahoma. Over the years the company has offered assistance to families in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, as well as after the earthquake in Haiti and on the Jersey shore following Hurricane Sandy
Each storm victim that collected their prepaid debit cards in Moore had their homes damaged or destroyed on May 20th.
They all appreciate the assistance.
“A thousand dollars is a lot for all of us,” said Gina.
I think it’s awesome. We lost everything and we’re still trying to build back everything,” said Kritsten Farrell.
“It’s just awesome that everyone across the United States is acting as a union,” said Elizabeth Seldomridge.
Every September 11th, Cantor Fitzgerald holds a charity day.
100 percent of their revenues go into the relief fund.
That helped pay for the donation to Moore and many others.
