New York Says Thank You Foundation
5LINX supported the NY Says Thank You Foundation, raising over $20,000 for the cause. The 9/11 flag was brought to the 5LINX International Training Event in Atlantic City, NJ during its journey to all 50 states of the US.
A Wonderful Organization
A Message from the President
Dear Friends,
I am writing to ask you to help me support a great cause. A good friend of mine, Jeff Parness, started a foundation after 9/11 called The New York Says Thank You Foundation. After personally witnessing not only the tragedy of 9/11, but also the remarkable outpouring of support from people all over the United States, Jeff wanted to pay this generosity forward. Each year on the 9/11 Anniversary, New York Says Thank You brings a group of NYC firefighters, friends and other caring people to the site of a recent catastrophic event to help rebuild a home, church or community center. 5LINX and I have been involved with Jeff’s work for the past several years and I have watched as he keeps expanding the effort to perform more acts of kindness.
This year’s program touches a special chord for us at 5LINX. The New York Says Thank You Foundation is traveling to Texas to rebuild the home of a wonderful family who care for Disabled Veterans that are not supported by traditional options. The home, which was not insured, was completely destroyed by a tornado. Please read the attached write up.
5LINX is donating $2,500 to the project and we are asking our employees and 5LINX representatives, over 20,000 of them, to each donate just $5 to the cause. This money will help fund the current project and will also help Jeff firmly establish The New York Says Thank You Foundation so that it can continue its good work long into the future.
The foundation has completed a number of wonderful projects and does it on a bare bones budget, there is no paid staff, no executive drawing a big paycheck, just money to pay for airfares, tools, and supplies to help rebuild. I hope you can join me in helping Jeff and New York Says Thank You in paying forward the great generosity our country showed following 9-11. You may click on the link below to make an immediate donation and get more insight into the foundation. Maybe you’ll even want to join us on the trip this year. It will take place September 6–9, 2007 in Groesbeck, Texas.
To make an online donation to support this effort right now, please click here and make sure to enter “In honor of 5LINX” in the gray box at the bottom of the donations page, that way we can help Jeff track the sources of funds. Please make your donations by September 1, 2007.
Warm Regards,
Craig Jerabeck
President & CEO
A Letter from Jeff
This 9/11 Anniversary help a New York City firefighter say “Thank You” by helping other Americans to rebuild after disaster.
Dear Friends,
By clicking here, you can make an instant impact on the lives of the Vincent Family of Groesbeck, Texas.
As you know, each year on the 9/11 Anniversary, The New York Says Thank You Foundation sends New York City firefighters (including survivors of the World Trade Center) along with other volunteers from New York to help rebuild communities around the country affected by disaster. It’s our way of saying “Thank You” for all the love and support Americans from across the country gave to New Yorkers in the days, weeks, and months following September 11.
This year on the upcoming sixth Anniversary of 9/11, we are going to help rebuild the Central Texas home of an extraordinary American family. Three generations of the Vincent Family of Groesbeck, Texas have run assisted-living centers for Disabled Veterans out of their homes. They created a unique and loving environment where these men who served our Nation can live out their days in a beautiful country setting surrounded by the children of the extended Vincent family and nearly 100 animals. In addition to serving our Nation’s veterans, this wonderful family also serves their community as they represent 25% of Groesbeck’s 40-member Volunteer Fire Department. To put it plainly, the Vincents are a wonderful example of the American spirit of service.
Unfortunately, on December 29, 2006 a deadly tornado ripped through the Vincent family compound, destroying the home where James and Eva Vincent lived with their 14-month-old son Hunter and 5 of the veterans. One of the veterans died in the twister but Eva’s quick actions literally saved the lives of her young son and the other men in her care. Originally built by hand 30 years ago by James’ grandfather, the home was unfortunately uninsured. And because Groesbeck was never declared a federal disaster area, the family was not eligible for FEMA or other government assistance to rebuild. While the extended family will continue to care for the disabled veterans in the home of Debbie Vincent (James’ mom), James and Eva and their young son Hunter, need a home.
And that’s where we need your immediate help.
We need to immediately raise over $22,000 to help send our 20–25 FDNY firefighter and other New York Says Thank You volunteers from around the country to help the Vincents rebuild this 9/11 Anniversary. We expect our largest group ever this year — 80–100 volunteers from New York as well as from ALL the communities nationwide we have assisted on previous anniversaries of 9/11 who will be volunteering on the build site as their way to “pay it forward.” In addition, we expect to have 800–1,000 local residents in Central Texas to participate in the rebuilding effort and the community-wide events planned around our New York Says Thank You rebuilding trip this year. Quite simply, this 9/11 Anniversary weekend will be a life-changing event for the Vincent family. And I appreciate your support in making this happen. As always, your donations are tax-deductible through our 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation. And while it costs $500 to sponsor each one of our FDNY/NYSTY volunteers any amount you donate will help.
If you’d like to immediately make an online donation to support our efforts to help the Vincent family rebuild, please click here.
Thank you for your support and enjoy the summer with your family.
Jeff Parness
The New York Says Thank You Foundation
917-806-8061
