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November 10, 2010
Dear Families and Friends,
September and October were a whirlwind of activity for all of us at VOICES. On September 3rd VOICES participated in the second Annual Run to Remember on Governor's Island. Once again it was a beautiful day and a wonderful gathering that both honored the memory of those lost and raised important funds to support 9/11 organizations. We appreciate the enthusiasm of the sixty-seven runners who ran on behalf of VOICES. Our special thanks to Dana Tamuccio and Jeannette Weismantel and their teams for their ongoing support.
To commemorate the anniversary we hosted our Ninth Annual Information Forum at the Marriott Downtown Hotel and later in the day we had the honor of ringing the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange. On September 16th we co-hosted the Always Remember 9/11 Exhibit at the Brodsky Center Gallery at the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Our thanks to our special guest, Governor Tom Kean, and our partners in organizing the exhibit.
During the month of October we co-hosted a conference with Rutgers University on Lessons Learned in the Aftermath of 9/11. Coordinating the conference gave our staff an opportunity to discuss the history of VOICES and how the 9/11 community and social work practices influenced our programs over the past 9 years. A special thanks to 9/11 family members Meryl Mayo Marshall, Jay Yasulka, Wendy Feinberg and 9/11 survivor Juliette Bergman for sharing their compelling personal stories...and to the very long list of service providers who spoke about their important work in the aftermath of 9/11.
Over the past several months, our staff has traveled to communities in Virginia, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts to conduct Living Memorial workshops. During the month of November and December we will be meeting with 9/11 families, rescue workers and survivors in our offices and hosting a number of workshops throughout the tri-state area. We encourage you to begin the process by bringing 10 photographs, written materials or keepsakes that our staff will scan and return to you. Feel free to contact our office if you would like to organize a workshop in your community.
On a personal note, the month of October culminated in a very exciting event for our family - the marriage of our son Wes and Sarah, our new daughter-in-law. When the news of the upcoming wedding spread, several Mothers who lost adult children on 9/11 called me to share their personal experiences, others offered "Mazel Tov"! Their best wishes and shared advice was in keeping with the philosophy of VOICES, to build a community of support based on our shared experiences.
The wedding took place in Lake Placid, New York and we were blessed with a snowfall, beautiful fall foliage and a rainbow that stretched from mountain to mountain. Our sons Wes and Chris lit a candle in memory of their brother Brad at the beginning of the service that signified Brad's presence in this important milestone for our family. As you can imagine, it was a very moving moment for us all.
Thanks to our staff and to all who helped us through a very busy, but exciting time for all of us at VOICES!
Warm regards,
Mary Fetchet & The VOICES Staff
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
9/11 Living Memorial
Workshop Appointments
New Canaan, Connecticut
Monday – Friday
10:00am – 3:00pm
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Tuesday and Thursday
9:00am to 4:00pm
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Wednesdays
9:00am – 7:00pm
New York, New York
Thursday, November 18th
Rockville Centre, New York
Tuesday, November 30th
Paramus, New Jersey
Thursday, December 9th
Middletown, New Jersey
Tuesday, December 16th
For a full schedule of upcoming
workshop appointments Click Here.
VOICES Teleconference Schedule
Tuesday, November 16th:
Rockland In-Person Support Group
7:00pm to 9:00pm
Wednesday, November 17th:
Siblings' Teleconference Group
2:30pm to 3:30pm
Tuesday, November 23rd:
Witness/Survivors' Support Group
4:00pm to 5:00pm
Tuesday, December 7th:
Firefighter Mothers' Group
10:00am to 11:00am
Tuesday, December 7th:
Parents' Support Group
3:45pm to 5:00pm
Tuesday, December 7th:
Parenting Teleconference Group
9:00pm to 10:00pm
For a full schedule of upcoming teleconference groups Click Here.
For a complete list of events visit our website at www.voicesofsept11.org.
To add an event to our calendar contact newsletters@voicesofsept11.org.
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9/11 Day of Remembrance Information Forum
 On September 10th VOICES hosted our 9th Annual Always Remember Information Forum at the Marriott Downtown Hotel in New York City. The forum included an annual update from Alice Greenwald on the progress of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, panel discussions, roundtables for families and service providers and exhibits of many of the 9/11 Living Memorial sites. Several family members spoke including: Jay Winuk of My Good Deed, Bonnie McEneaney author of Messages and Janice Hazelcorn from Camp Haze. Jeff Harness from "New York Says Thank You" displayed a 30 foot American Flag which survived the attacks on the World Trade Center. As always it was wonderful to have the 9/11 community of families, rescue workers and survivors in attendance. More.
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VOICES Rings the Closing Bell of the New York Stock Exchange on September 10, 2010
 On the eve of the 9th anniversary Voices of September 11th rang the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange to commemorate the upcoming anniversary. Founding Director Mary Fetchet rang the closing bell and Thomas H. Kean, Former Governor of New Jersey and Chairman of the 9/11 Commission hit the gavel. Joining them at the podium was Duncan L. Niederauer, President and Co-Chief Operating of the NYSE; Andrew M. Sanchek, Vice Chairman and President of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc; 9/11 Family Members - Frank Fetchet, Alessandra Benedetti, Michael Murray, Bonnie McEneaney, Debbie McEneaney and Duane Orloske; VOICES Board Members Jeff Blumenfeld, John Gannon and Marvin Kabatznick; VOICES Staff Madeline Pace and Debbie Westfal. More.
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VOICES Always Remember 9/11 Exhibit in New Brunswick, New Jersey
 VOICES co-hosted an Opening Reception of the Always Remember 9/11 Exhibit on September 16th at the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick. The exhibit event was a collaboration between the Brodsky Center for Innovative Editions, DEVCO, the Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center and VOICES. Special guests included the Honorable Thomas Kean, Former Governor of New Jersey.
The Children's Exhibit is on display on the second floor of the Heldrich Hotel and the Always Remember Exhibit is displayed at the VOICES New Brunswick office through the month of November. The exhibit includes the 9/11 Living Memorial Project, quilts, artwork and a Remembrance banner created by the 9/11 families Feel free to visit our office to view the exhibit. More.
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Volunteers Presented with VOICES 2010 Building Bridges Awards at the September 10th Forum
 Each year VOICES recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to those impacted by 9/11 with a Building Bridges Award. This year three dedicated VOICES volunteers, Duane Orloske, Kate O'Brien and Alessandra Benedetti, who lost loved ones on 9/11, were presented with the 2010 Building Bridges Awards.
For several years they have traveled long distances to volunteer in a number of capacities at our office in New Canaan, CT. Their unique perspectives as family members and their special skills have helped guide the organization. Over the years they have become an extension of our staff and we are grateful for their dedication. Please join us in thanking Duane, Kate and Alessandra for their important contributions. Their commitment of time and talents is an inspiration to us all.
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Diane Brudnicki and Seattle Students Present Artwork at VOICES Information Forum
 Once again Dianne Brudnicki, an art teacher from Duvall, Washington and her students attended our Day of Remembrance Information Forum to deliver handmade artwork to the 9/11 families. This year Dianne was joined by four of her students - Karina Cohrs, Cindy Wang, Brianna O'Brien and Melissa Brink.
Following 9/11, Dianne Brudnicki and her students created artwork which they published in the book, "Message of Hope, Peace and Love", which we helped distribute to the 9/11 families. Over the years Dianne and her students have become an important part of our September 10th Information Forum, traveling from Seattle, Washington to New York City to present the 9/11 families with gifts of beautiful artwork and comfort.
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9/11 Community Events of Interest |
Tribute World Trade Center Needs Volunteer Docents
The Tribute World Trade Center Visitor Center, located directly across from the World Trade Center, needs volunteer docents to lead guided tours of the World Trade Center site. All tours are lead by members of the September 11th community, including: rescue workers, first responders, area residents, people who worked in the World Trade Center buildings and family members who lost loved ones.
Becoming a Volunteer Docent Guide for Tribute World Trade Center Visitor Center is a way to connect with other members of the September 11th community, heal, give a name and a voice to the victims of September 11th and ensure that we never forget. Volunteers will be carefully trained and thoroughly supported. Join a wonderful community of social and welcoming volunteer guides.
To learn more about becoming a volunteer docent, please contact volunteer@tributewtc.org
Fealgood Foundation Christmas Party
Please join the FealGood Foundation for its Christmas Party/Toy Drive. This party benefits 9/11 responders and heroes who are gravely ill from their heroic actions 9 years ago, and are in such difficult financial circumstances that they cannot afford to enjoy the holiday season with their children. This event is open to all, responders, volunteers, supporters and friends of the FealGood Foundation. No one will go home empty handed. More. |
Judge Extends Deadline for 9/11 Deal by 1 Week
A federal judge gave sickened 9/11 rescue workers another week to accept a $760 million proposed settlement.
"huge influx of claims" in the final days overwhelmed the system for tallying votes. More.
Testing of NYC Sept. 11 Memorial Waterfalls Begins
The waterfalls of the Sept. 11 memorial at ground zero are showing signs of life. Engineers began testing one of the twin waterfalls on Tuesday, circulating hundreds of thousands of gallons of water into the north reflecting pool. More.
50th Tree Planted at 9/11 Memorial Site
A 15-foot-tall swamp white oak was secured in a planter, hoisted into the air by a giant crane, and then lowered into an open spot near the center of the 9/11 Memorial Plaza. More.
Interview with Michael Arad
The architect behind a waterfall that will be part of the memorial for Sept. 11 victims at Ground Zero gives The Associated Press a sneak peak of his installation. More.
Visit VOICES In The News for articles and announcements of interest to the 9/11 community. |
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