Dear Friends,

“Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.” George Sand

As we are coming up on the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, one of the most enduring impressions or realizations that I’ve had resulting from the atrocities of that day, is of the love and kindness it brought out in people. This week I learned of an organization that was founded by Jeff Parness called New York Says Thank You Foundation. Are you familiar with them? Every year around the time of 9/11 volunteers from NYC go to help a disaster-stricken community rebuild something valuable. The message is one of hope. Their story begins in 2003 when Jeff was compelled to form a foundation that would be there to assist communities with disaster aid much as his hometown NYC benefitted from the heroics and kindness of others post 9/11. What has stuck with me most about Jeff is his comment that the “outpouring of kindness and generosity was more powerful than the terror that happened the day before.” In remembrance of our heroes, then and today, I would ask you to join me on Saturday, September 11th in gratitude and servitude within your individual communities. Do a good deed, say a kind word, lend a helping hand, provide hope. To learn more about New York Says Thank You, please visit https://newyorksaysthankyou.org/

Until next week,

Love,