Nesconset 9/11 First Responder Receives $50K for Helping Others

A Nesconset resident is being honored by 5-hour ENERGY for helping others cope with the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, after overcoming his own obstacles. 

John Feal, an Army veteran and 9/11 first responder, worked five and a half days at Ground Zero as a first responder before 8,000 pounds of steel crushed his left foot.

Despite spending 11 weeks in the hospital following this injury, he's dedicated his life to helping others by creating the Feal Good Foundation in 2005, a non-profit foundation that helps other first responders after Sept. 11. 

Feal has been selected by "5-hour ENERGY Helps Amazing People,” a program that recognizes outstanding people who, despite their own challenges, give their time and energy to make the lives of others better. He will receive $50,000 from 5-hour Energy.

“Nobody, no man or woman, no cop, firefighter, construction worker, volunteer, should have to go through this alone, and I’d like to think that we’ve created a safety net and a support system for these men and women to honor them for their heroic actions,” Feal told Patch in a 2011 interview. 

Feal has told 5-hour ENERGY that he will be donating the entire $50,000 back into the Feal Good Foundation to continue helping other, according to a spokeswoman Melissa Skabich. 

Watch the video of 5-hour Energy's interview with Feal and presenting him with the check, as a surprise, at his Nesconset home.