NEW YORK -- Former Mets first baseman and current broadcaster Keith Hernandez is working to keep Rusty Staub’s memory alive by working with the New York Police and Fire Widow’s and Children’s Benefit Fund Foundation, Inc., which Staub founded in 1985.

The foundation raises money for families of New York City police officers, firefighters, Emergency Medical Services and Port Authority police personnel killed in the line of duty. The organization has distributed more than $150 million to families of those men and women since its inception.

“What an extraordinary individual he was, as far as how giving he was. ... It was his idea. His blood, sweat and tears and time that he put in it ... just such an extraordinary man,” Hernandez said before Wednesday’s game against the San Francisco Giants.

On Wednesday, the foundation held its annual picnic at Citi Field, continuing a tradition that began at Shea Stadium, where the families that have been helped by the organization come together to spend time with each other and enjoy a game.

Steve Dannhauser, the foundation’s chairman, and Hernandez both spoke about supporting the foundation since Staub died in March 2018.

“Rusty’s spirit lives with us,” Dannhauser said. “It’s our obligation to become really energized about taking the organization to an even higher level and do that as a tribute to him, because he was one of the most generous men I have ever met in my life. And it was a privilege for me to be his friend and to be brought into his life.”

Hernandez gave his commitment to the foundation.

“I’m going to do all that I can on my end to make it bigger and stronger every year,” he said.

“We miss Rusty, but he lives on right now.”