The Fund

I want to begin this column by thanking everyone who worked so hard to make Anthony’s September 11 remembrance activities so meaningful.  I won’t take time here to name everyone, but you know who you are.  Anthony and your city and fellow citizens are better for your efforts.  Indeed, no person observing our ceremonies could have possibly walked away unaffected by them. 

I also want, this week after, to let you know what is happening with the monies in our Victim’s Relief Fund.  As you may remember, last year after September 11, I established an account at Citizen’s and First National for Victim’s Relief.  You donated to the fund and we sent the money to the widow of FDNY firefighter Joe Spor.  She used the money to finish the remodeling job Joe had started before he was killed.

Since then, additional donations have trickled into the Fund.  A lady in Missouri read about Anthony and Joe in the Kansas City Star and sent the money she made from selling homemade red, white, and blue bracelets.  Another Missouri woman heard about our Fund and sent a donation. 

I e-mailed Colleen and asked her what she would like me to do with the money – send it all to her at one time or send it to her kids, or use it to send her kids Christmas and birthday presents.  She asked me to send her kids the presents.

The City of Anthony can provide a little boy and his three little sisters a human connection.  We can provide them the thrill of receiving a gift.  We can provide them the comfort of knowing that someone they’ve never even met knows them and remembers them on their birthday.

So far this year I’ve sent Joseph a PlayStation 2 and Casey Ann some Barbie stuff from the People of Anthony.  Throughout the year I’ve sent cards, pictures, e-mails, and letters.  Colleen, a very private person, says the kids enjoy their gifts tremendously.  More importantly, she says they know whom they come from and know that Anthony is in wheat country in Kansas.  And she is very grateful. 

How we are using the money is bringing comfort, joy, and the bond of human connection to a fallen hero’s family.  And we are the ones who benefit the most in knowing that we are making a real difference.  But, the Fund is running low and December holds Christmas and 2 more birthdays.

If you’re able to help keep this connection going, please donate at either Citizens or First National.  Let’s continue to care for this hero’s family. 

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Last modified:  September 01, 2006  

Copyright 2002 Anthony 9-11 Memorial Committee