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2007 Year End Appeal

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An Open Letter

It is hard to believe that six years have passed since the morning that changed all of our lives forever.  Despite the passage of time, our community continues to face many challenges—the ongoing discovery of human remains at Ground Zero, and unresolved issues with Fresh Kills and the WTC Memorial plans.  No doubt these challenges complicate the grieving process and our ability to heal. 

Irrespective of the challenges, our community has found common strength together and has demonstrated unprecedented courage and heart. Hopefully, your continued participation in WTC United Family Group's mission has brought you some comfort.   

Like last year, we have both good and bad news to report, and we encourage you to read the enclosed Year-In-Review report, which highlights program successes. 

First, the good news:  Despite funding constraints, we continue to provide comprehensive year-round services for our community members across the nation through innovative peer support programs including our September 11th/Oklahoma City Family Exchange, annual holiday gathering, advocacy on 9/11 issues, community publications and outreach, and other means of healing.

• Feedback from exchange participants continues to be significant:  An April 2007 exchange participant noted, that she had expected to feel sadness, but, instead “came back with a feeling of inspiration.”   Another, characterized the program has ““life changing.”  The rescue workers and survivors in attendance also benefited. A rescuer, who served in both Oklahoma City and at the World Trade Center, found it “extremely rewarding to meet surviving families and other responders.”  The September 2007 exchange will be held in NYC Sept. 9-12, visit www.wtcunited.org to learn more and participate.
• To date, we have interviewed over 70 individuals directly impacted by 9/11 for the creation of The National 9/11/01 Civic Education program, an educational initiative of the September 11^th Education Trust/World Trade Center United Family Group in collaboration with Taft Institute for Government at Queens College.  The program aims to teach the lessons of 9/11 and its aftermath while directing our nation’s high school age youth toward effective civic participation to prepare them for the challenges ahead. In June, we conducted interviews with Senator Hillary Clinton and Reps. Maloney, Shays and Pete King.   Organizers expect to complete the first edition of the written curriculum materials by December 2007; and an interactive DVD and web based resources by December 2008. In January 2008, the program will be presented during the American Historical Association’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C. 

Now the bad news: The greatest challenge facing WTC United to complete the 9/11 civic education program and continue core support services is funding.  Though the need for 9/11 support services continues, many foundations that provided funding in the past, are no longer supporting 9/11 related projects.

Please consider making a donation and perhaps increasing the amount of your last contribution to help us in this effort.  Your tax-deductible financial contribution will help to ensure the completion of the curriculum project and that there will be no lapse in service to our members whose need for support continues.  Alternatively, if you are interested in gifting stocks, or other types of investments to benefit WTC United’s endowment fund, please call Anthony Gardner at (732) 292-2910.

Building on the story of 9/11—the courage, compassion and unprecedented civic responses—will translate well beyond the classroom and will be lessons that our nation’s youth can apply to lead more meaningful, productive lives.

On behalf of our board of trustees and those we serve, we thank you in advance for your support.

Wishing you renewed strength and peace as we face the 6^th anniversary,

Anthony Gardner, Brother of Harvey Joseph Gardner III Executive Director, WTC United

Patricia Reilly, Sister of Lorraine Lee Chairwoman, WTCUFG

© Copyright 2001-2008, September 11th Education Trust / DBA WTC United Family Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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