Founded in 2007, the Families Behind the Badge Children's Foundation was created to better allocate and manage the funds raised from the legendary Tour de Shore Charity Bike Ride. Now known as The Ben to The Shore Bike Tour, the event is a 65-mile bicycle ride from Philadelphia to Atlantic City. The bike ride started as part of the Ugly Bartender Contest - a national MS Society initiative - with 20 cyclists the first year and has grown to 2,300 riders, raising $1.45 million in 2025. This ride has become a summer staple in the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey community.

 

Throughout the first 20 years of The Ben to The Shore Bike Tour, money raised went to a variety of worthy causes in the community. In 2007, after several Philadelphia Police Officers were killed in the line of duty, the organization made a change in the focus of its funding by putting a greater emphasis on supporting families of our fallen officers. Today, FBBCF focuses on supporting the families of fallen and critically injured first responders; putting on programs that cultivate positive relationships and interactions between police officers and the children in the communities they serve; and equipping first responders with mental and emotional wellbeing tools to better cope with the stresses of the job.

 

In addition to The Ben to The Shore Bike Tour, the FBBCF hosts other fundraising events throughout the year. The Andy Chan Holiday Block Party takes place every December in Philadelphia.  The event, which is normally held at Craft Hall in Northern Liberties, features drink specials, raffles, giveaways, and serves as a regional holiday celebration or our entire first responder community.  Proceeds directly benefit the Andy Chan Memorial Fund, as well as other families of recently fallen or critically injured first responders.

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Since 2015, FBBCF has spearheaded an original citywide initiative called the “Police Youth Alliance.” Aimed at cultivating positive relationships and interactions between police officers and the children in the communities they serve, PYA puts uniformed officers in local schools to engage in student-friendly activities such as chess, step, reading, drumline, and carpentry. 

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In 2025, FBBCF launched "Check Your Six," a program aimed at addressing the growing mental health crisis plaguing the first responder community.  Through group sessions and seminars, FBBCF is able to provide research-based tools and techniques to help first responders build resilience, lower stress, and improve rest in order to better serve their communities and be present for their families.  

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To maximize the support given to our first responders, the FBBCF provides an immediate grant directly to the families of first responders severely injured or killed in the line of duty. The FBBCF then works closely with other organizations that continuously support these families such as Philadelphia FOP Charitable Fund, Montgomery County Hero Fund and Bucks County Heroes Scholarship Fund.

 

The FBBCF is proud to give back to the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey community and support the children of our fallen heroes.  To date, the FBBCF has raised over $16 million for the first responders, their families, and their community.