The Brittany Devin Heaney Foundation was formed in February 2021, after the sudden and devastating passing of Assistant District Attorney Brittany Devin Heaney of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. Brittany had planned to be married this May 22, 2021 to the love of her life, Vito Rinaldi, when she unexpectedly died in her sleep from a cardiac arrhythmia at the young age of 30.
Brittany comes from a long line of law enforcement champions. Her parents, Thomas Heaney and Lisa Mazzaro Heaney, are both retired NYPD Detectives, as is her uncle John Heaney. Her great grandfather, Edward W. Devine, was a first grade NYPD Detective; her great uncles Edward Devine and James Devine were NYPD Lieutenants; and her great uncle, William Devine, rose to the position of Police Commissioner.
Brittany devoted herself to seeking justice for victims of sexual assault as an Assistant District Attorney, and the Brittany Devin Heaney Foundation will ensure that her wonderful work continues. Since its formation, the Foundation has raised over $70,000, which will, in part, endow a $50,000 scholarship fund at Brittany’s alma mater, St. John’s University School of Law. Each year, the fund will provide a scholarship to a law student who works at an internship combating sex crimes. The family is now working to raise additional funds to endow a similar scholarship at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, from where Brittany graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology in 2012. It’s also where Brittany met her beloved fiancé Vito.
While the family tragically cannot celebrate their union, the Foundation will support her legacy and continue her mission. Anything you can donate to this worthy cause will be extremely appreciated.
If you use Paypal, donations can be sent using the email address [email protected]
If using checks, donations can be mailed to The Brittany Devin Heaney Foundation, P.O. Box 66, Bronx, New York 10470.
To donate online, and to read about Brittany and the Foundation, click on the link below.
On behalf of the Heaney family, Vito, Brittany’s friends, and her colleagues, thank you very much.
