9/11 Families Respond to Tragedy by Helping Others
9/11 Families Respond to Tragedy by Helping Others
With their own money, private donations, insurance settlements, or money they received from the government, many relatives of the almost three thousand people who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks have established nonprofit foundations in memory of their loved ones that are helping to improve the lives of people around the world, the Chicago Tribune reports.
In the aftermath of the attacks that took the lives of 2,973 people, many of the victims' families banded together to form advocacy or support groups. Less well-known, however, are the charities and foundations that many 9/11 families started. Varying widely in structure and mission, their number is difficult to determine, but by focusing largely on alleviating suffering or aiding others, such foundations have helped family members cope with their loss and, according to experts, have set an example for people around the world.
Perhaps the best-known name to have been associated with such a foundation is Todd Beamer, the United Flight 93 passenger whose "Let's roll" call to action is thought to have signaled the start of the passenger revolt that resulted in the plane's crashing in a Pennsylvania field. Beamer's widow, Lisa, and best friend, Douglas MacMillan, started a foundation bearing his name with the intention of helping children who lost a parent in the attacks. Faced with an outpouring of donations, however, they expanded the mission to include children trying to bounce back from any traumatic experience and changed the name of the foundation to Heroic Choices. To date, the charity has raised $7 million, and for the last two years has provided free counseling to mainly New York-area.
Similarly, the parents of Peter C. Alderman used the $1.4 million payment they received from the federal government's Victim Compensation Fund to set up a foundation in the name of their son, who was attending a breakfast conference on 9/11 at Windows on the World, the restaurant on the top floor of one of the towers. The organization treats survivors of societal upheavals for depression and other mental illness, and, by the end of this year, will have helped make it possible for therapists to assist some fifty thousand people in Cambodia, Uganda, Bosnia, and other countries recovering from civil strife. Dr. Stephen Alderman, a retired radiation oncologist, calls his work for the foundation a full-time job. "This is something we've found tremendously helpful," he said. "I think of my son all the time while I'm doing this. My son Pete was a terrific guy, and he would love this."
Swanson, Stevenson.
“Families Channel Loss Into Ventures of Hope.”
Chicago Tribune
9/11/06.
Primary Subject: 9/11 Response
Location(s): International, National, New York, New York City, Pennsylvania, Shanksville, Washington, D.C.
FC009476
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