
September 18th, 2026
Jon Stewart says he never planned to focus his charity work on first responders and their families.
It happened naturally.
The host of “The Daily Show” said he wanted to feel useful.
He wanted to help people who spent their lives helping others.
He said these people are not superheroes.
They are just men and women who chose to be there for others in their worst moments.
Stewart’s support for 9/11 first responders led to angry lobbying and Congressional testimony in 2019.
He pushed to keep the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund from running out of money.
He also worked to close a loophole in the PACT Act.
That loophole left U.S. troops exposed to radiation during the Afghanistan War without medical coverage.
On Friday, Stewart announced he will return as host of the First Responders Children’s Foundation’s Roll Call of Heroes ceremony.
The event will be held in New York’s Times Square on Oct. 28.
It marks National First Responders Day.
Stewart said it is nice to meet the people being honored.
He also likes meeting young people active in their communities.
Foundation President and CEO Jillian Crane said the nonprofit is thrilled Stewart will host again.
She said his advocacy for first responders makes him the perfect host.
She noted his work for those with 9/11-related illnesses.
She said the group is the only national nonprofit for the children of first responders.
September 18th, 2026

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