The holidays is a wonderful time to gather together! We were glad to see old friends and new ones at our annual holiday party in our NJ office. The party was hosted by our NJ staff and it gave us the opportunity to introduce our newest staff member, Sheri Burkat. A few family members brought additional photographs to include in the Living Memorial. We also celebrated the news that Jamie Hakim's daughter was born on December 13th! Learn More.
We are planning our Spring schedule for Living Memorial workshops in the New York metropolitan area, Boston and Washington, D.C. Of course, you can always send us your photos via email or regular mail. For more information on the Living Memorial project appointments, you can call Michelle in our New Canaan office at 203-966-3911 or Sheri in our New Brunswick office at 732-543-2300.
Our staff videographer Jean Garten, volunteered her time to prepare a short video to highlight some of VOICES activities. Our 2010 recap includes our Benefit with Tony Blair and Peter Yarrow, the September 10th Forum in NYC, the Best Practices conference at Rutgers University, a number of 9/11 Exhibits, and dozens of Living Memorial workshops in communities around the country. Thanks to the dedication and commitment of our staff, interns and volunteers we made significant accomplishments in 2010. Our thanks to Jean for putting the video together!-
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.
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.