Outpouring Of Community Support For Westchester First Responder

BEDFORD, NY — The family of a first responder whose life was dedicated to helping others is asking for, and receiving, a little help in return.

In less than 24 hours, a Westchester community has come together to raise more than $25,000 for the family of Emily Rose Storm, a Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps first responder. The family said Storm's unexpected death left them, not only devastated, but unprepared for burial costs.

Westchester EMS, Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the Vista Fire Department took to social media to honor Storm’s legacy and to encourage support for Emily’s family on Facebook. Storm made a mark on each of the emergency services.

A GoFundMe fundraiser was started by Storm's family.

“For those that knew Them, Emily was a bright, brilliant, beautiful human being, who loved everyone and everything fiercely," GoFundMe organizer Valerie Kaplan wrote. "Their absence will forever leave a void in the hearts of all those that loved Them. Life will, quite literally, never be the same.”

Funds raised will help Emily’s family cover memorial expenses and a donation in Emily’s memory to The Trevor Project, which supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer young people.

More information about the Trevor Project and how to learn more about how you can help at risk LGBTQ+ youth can be found on their website.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, if you or someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide:

• Do not leave the person alone.
• Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.
• Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255).
• Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.

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