This year the Burn Foundation artist Joseph Getinger and 3-D artist Jarryd Ley are creating an image as a tribute to the 343 first responders who sacrificed their lives twenty-five years ago on 9-11-2001. FIRE & SAFETY SERVICES, Ltd. President David Russell will again be the proud sponsor of the Burn Foundation this year. David has consistently supported the Burn Foundation and Joe for over 25 years, plus the printing costs of each year’s raffle tickets for the annual NJ State Firefighters Convention in Wildwood. In 2024 David also sponsored the special edition collector pins that contain the fundraising image. These have become very popular and are very much in demand. 

This year we are also celebrating the third anniversary of artist Jarryd Ley of West Deptford, N.J., who has joined forces with Getsinger to create a unique 3-D fundraising image of Getsinger’s artwork for this convention. The title for this year’s  image will be: "9/11 - Because They Climbed."

In early January, Getsinger envisioned an image to honor those first responders who sacrificed their lives on 9/11/2001 during the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. 2026 marks the 25^th anniversary of that tragic event. Joe contacted Fire Chief Stephen Christinzio and Deputy Chief Anton Horwitz of Woodbury Heights Fire Department who were proud to be a part of Getsinger’s creation, especially since it’s a tribute to the 343 first responders who sacrificed their lives. A few photoshoots were scheduled and interrupted by the snowstorms in February, but with the aid of 3-D artist Jarryd Ley, it finally was successful. We would like to thank the firefighters who participated in the photoshoots, which included (left to right in the picture): Anton Horwitz – Deputy Chief, Steve Christinzio – Chief, Firefighters: Abi Sherm, Alex Horwitz, Austin Crew, Chase Nana, Chuckie Crompton, Emma Horwitz, Charles Cannon, and Assistant Chief David Misilewich. 

A special note of interest at Woodbury Heights Fire Department: If you visit there, ask for a tour of their front entrance and stairway. Assistant Chief David Misilewich has stairway walls and second floor decorated with framed artwork of Joe Getsinger’s firefighter prints from throughout the years. There are also a couple of canvas prints, and an original acrylic painting titled “Fire and Ice” displayed there. 

You can also visit the Gloucester County Fire Academy at 200 County House Road in Clarksboro, N.J. to see other Getsinger’s art prints. He recently donated his original paintings of “Fire Academy I” and “Fire Academy 2” to their new addition, which expanded their training ability and capacity.

The two artists, Getsinger and Ley, will develop the final image to be used for the print and a 3D model that will be displayed at the New Jersey Firemen’s Convention in Wildwood, N.J. on September 11 and 12, 2026. It will be utilized as part of the fundraiser for the Burn Foundation table on stage in the fire equipment expo tent area. The number one framed Giclee’ canvas print of “9/11 – Because They Climbed” will be the top prize at the raffle along with 25 limited edition prints signed by both Joe Getsinger and Jarryd Ley. Due to health issues, this will be the last year Getsinger will be creating an image for the Burn Foundation after 46 years of dedicated service to this worthy cause.

The Burn Foundation is located at 8600 West Chester Pike, Suite 202, Upper Darby, Pa. 19082. Its mission supports the burn patient and burn care communities in the tristate area. You can donate online at: www.burnfoundation.org or call (215) 545-3816.