WHO WE ARE
The Ken Tietjen Foundation, home of the Mini Horse Heroes, started in 2001 as a non-profit organization to honor the memory of Port Authority Police Officer, Ken Tietjen.
We are an all volunteer 501 (c) (3) non-profit charity based in New Jersey. One hundred percent of all donations go directly to our programs.
Our mission is to support local first responders and veterans and assist children and adults experiencing trauma or difficulties.
We are dedicated to connecting first responders and their families with the community.
HOW WE GOT STARTED
The idea for the Foundation came about because each year during the Christmas season, the Tietjen’s would “adopt” a family in need and provide all the food, clothes, and toys to help make the family’s Christmas a happy one. It was always Kenny’s job to provide the bikes for the children – it was something he looked forward to doing.
With the holidays approaching less than three months after Ken was killed, his family and friends wanted to find a positive way to keep his memory alive and lessen the huge hole that they felt by spending Christmas without him.
Through generous donations from friends, family, community groups and businesses, fellow Port Authority police officers, and wonderful volunteers, the Foundation was able to purchase and deliver 11 bicycles to children in need that very first year.
With the help of so many, over the last two decades, we have been able to expand and redefine the mission of the foundation and help tens of thousands of people in need.
RUDY GIULIANI, FORMER NYC MAYOR
As people were running out of the building, he (Officer Ken Tietjen) ran with equal determination into the building...