Standing Strong for Those Left Behind

Tyler Alvarez’s dream is to serve in the United States Marines and become an NYPD Emergency Service officer, just like his father, Luis Alvarez, who lost his battle with 9/11-related cancer earlier this year. However, his diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome prevents him from following in his father’s footsteps but the Suffolk County Police Department Emergency Service Section and the Guardians of Our Dependents (GOOD) Foundation stepped in to make his dream come true, even if just for one day.The 20-year-old Oceanside resident, whose uncle, Phil Alvarez, is a retired Suffolk County Police detective, spent the day with ES officers at their headquarters in Ronkonkoma, running through search warrant situations, handling equipment and learning about the elite unit’s day-to-day operations. Alvarez’s father spent three months at Ground Zero searching for survivors and remains. Sixteen years later, he was diagnosed with 9/11-related cancer and died in June 2019, a short time after speaking alongside Jon Stewart to Congress about extending health benefits for first responders.

Bragging moment about one of our GOOD kids! See this guy? This is Bobby Zane- his dad was an NYPD Police Officer. Bobby has grown with us and is now the President of the freshman class at Sayville High School … thanks to Bobby’s leadership and always giving back to his community and the blue family he loves, his classmates selected the GOOD Foundation as their class charity!

My name is Caiya Surrency, the youngest daughter of Christopher Surrency, a Suffolk County police officer who passed away.  Despite the loss of my loving father, G.O.O.D. has contributed to my life over the years in a very meaningful way.  The organization, G.O.O.D has a unique way of reminding families they are not alone.  Aside from the memories created with everyone, G.O.O.D. have personally continued to help me every opportunity they can.  During both my junior and senior year of high school, G.O.O.D. sponsored my cheerleading nationals trip.  This trip gave me the opportunity to compete in Florida against the other top cheerleading teams in the nation, enjoy Disney World with my teammates and build friendships.  G.O.O.D. has always included my family and me in fun events such as holiday parties, baseball games, fishing trips, and picnics.  My favorite things about the organization are the kindhearted people and role models, making sure everyone knows they have a shoulder to lean on especially during the toughest times.  I would not be the person I am today without the experiences that G.O.O.D. has allowed me to be a part of.  This organization is filled with love and support and I am beyond grateful to be included in a group dedicated to helping others.