James J. Binns – Philanthropy

Philanthropy

Mr. Binns makes substantial contributions to charitable institutions. In addition to endowing scholastic scholarships at St. Paul’s Parochial School, Roman Catholic High School, and LaSalle University, where he also endowed the James J. Binns Fitness Center, he has served as a director of the Prisoners’ Family Welfare Fund, Boy Scouts of America, Lyric Opera Company, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Police Athletic League, Indian Rights Association, Catholic Historical Society, Berean Institute, The Historical Society of Pennsylvania and The Alliance Française de Philadelphia. He is currently a Director Emeritus of the Philadelphia Charity Ball. He served as President of St. Luke’s Hospital and has chaired the Organized Crime Task Force of the Citizens Crime Commission of Philadelphia. Mr. Binns is a lifetime member of the Catholic Historical Society and the Family Sons of St. Patrick. He was appointed Chairman of the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission by Republican Governor Richard Thornburgh and re-appointed by Democratic Governor Robert P. Casey. In recognition of his charitable work throughout South America, the Governor of Aragua, Venezuela decorated him with the Orden Saman de Aragua. In addition to the above charitable endeavors, Mr. Binns founded the Judeo-Christian School at Roman Catholic High, the oldest Catholic High School in America. He has been recognized as a major force of in support of World Jewry by the Prime Minister of Israel, the Anti-Defamation League, the International B’Nai B’Rith and the State of Israel Bonds, Inc. His Hero Cop Plaque program, commemorating police officers who were killed in the line of duty, has received national acclaim. In addition to commemorating the 283 deceased Philadelphia Police Officers he has dedicated 2 plaques in Margate City, New Jersey, 8 plaques in Atlantic City, New Jersey, 7 plaques throughout Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 12 plaques in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1 plaque in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Binns has initiated an identical program to commemorate the lives of 285 Philadelphia firefighters who were killed in the line of duty. As in the case of the police officers, the plaques are placed at the location were they met their death. He hosts an annual golf outing in memory of Police Sgt. Mike Taylor, which raises scholarship funds for St. Joseph’s Prep and Northeast Catholic High School. He is the Chairman of the Hero Thrill Show, which raises money to ensure the education of children of deceased police and fire fighters. Mr. Binns chairs a program for the replacement of 65 Harley Davidson motorcycles of the Philadelphia Highway Patrol. He initiated an identical program Margate City, New Jersey, the Borough of Longport, New Jersey, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Winslow Township, New Jersey, Northfiled, New Jersey and Lower Makefield Township, Pennsylvania. He has been repeatedly honored by the Fraternal Order of Police, the Police Chief’s Association of Southeast Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Marine Corps – Law Enforcement Foundation.