ACCFCB Liaison Receives 2016 Albany County Executive Volunteer Award For Helping Sa'fyre

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Ann Murphy pictured with John Smith Receives Albany County Executive's Volunteer Award for 2016!

Ann is an Albany County employee assigned to the Albany County Correctional Facility as a specialist with the Inmate Service Unit (ISU). She further volunteers her time and talents as a liaison between our all-volunteer charity and the family of Sa’fyre Terry, one of our seriously ill children who resides in the Capital Region of Albany, NY.

Ann volunteered to be directly involved in overseeing our support for Sa'fyre, the only child to survive a ferocious house fire in Schenectady, NY during the early morning hours of May 2, 2013 that claimed the lives of three of her siblings and her father. Sa’fyre Suffered severe burns over 75% of her body on that fateful day.

Upon approaching Ann just after learning of this tragedy to ask if she would be willing to assist in this very delicate family situation, she unhesitatingly agreed! Just days after losing her brother, two Nephews and a Niece in the fire, while Sa’fyre remained at Westchester Burn Unit where medical experts felt she may not survive, we sat down with Liz, Sa’fyre’s Aunt/ Guardian in their home.

After our initial sit down, Ann spent nearly the next 3 years regularly interacting with Sa’fyre and her family making sure they had whatever was required to make their lives as bearable as humanly possible. Having undergone double amputations, life threatening surgeries and several complications, by the grace of god Sa’fyre survived.

Most recently, Sa’fyre’s request to fill a Christmas tree with cards was warmly greeted by the world via more than 1.5 million cards, letters and packages. Ann, upon Liz’s request agreed to take on the enormous task as a coordinator to assist in getting them all opened.

Ann’s involvement with this family and her devotion to them is awe inspiring. Every child that we assist is special, Sa’fyre though is like none other. Ann is now considered to be a part of their family along with ACCF for Children’s Benefit.

On behalf of ACCF for Children’s Benefit, Inc. I thank you for your consideration of our Ann Murphy!

Sincerely Yours,

John R Smith- Founder, 1^st Vice President