Hearts and Hands Memorial Project Update 5/28
To All,
We have found a possible location for our Memorial Complex that we believe will offer 9/11 families the solace that they are looking for and remind everyone of how America came together after the tragic events of 9/11.
We are currently looking to renovate buildings on Staten Island to create
An exhibition hall with over 9,000 square feet of open floor space that will house the 16,000 square foot United in Memory 9/11 Victims Memorial Quilt
A Corridor of Memories over 250 feet long (nearly 3,000 square feet) that will include photos of all of the victims of the attacks and will include affiliation, age and location on 9/11.
The ceiling of the corridor will be constructed with curved plexi-glass and will have the names of all of the victims etched into it in a completely random fashion.
Between the exhibition hall and corridor of memories will be a 21,000 square foot Memorial Garden.
The Garden will act as an oasis not only for 91// families but for anyone who needs a quiet place to contemplate and reflect.
The world came together after 9/11 in a way that it never had before.
We want this complex to be a reminder of the outpouring of love and brotherhood that followed the tragic events of 9/11.
We want our children and their children to remember not only those that were lost but also the unprecedented outreach that followed.
Future phases of the complex will include:
A 9/11 Memorial Museum
A Public Library
A Veteran’s Center
A Senior/Youth Center
All of these are existing buildings that have fallen into terrible disrepair and will need extensive renovation.
We feel that the Survivor’s Staircase would be a welcomed addition to this complex and could become a permanent component.
We are currently in the planning stages and would be open to working the Staircase into our plans.
Working with the Joseph Maffeo Foundation and United in Memory we hope to fill the void left in our world, by the passing of our loved ones, we are taking a positive, proactive approach - instilling goodness and decency in our world so that all who were lost will always be our beams of light towards a better tomorrow.
We plan to include educational programs and incorporate a mobile computer lab which will allow family members to record their memories. It will also be used to bring computer access to disadvantaged students and seniors throughout Staten Island.
Of course we are still in the infancy stage but have gotten positive responses from most government officials.
We are putting together a business plan and will arrange for engineers to evaluate the space and more accurately estimate the costs.
This project will require significant funding and we will be reaching out for private, governmental and corporate support.
We would appreciate your feedback.
Please pass this on to any interested parties.
If you or your organization is interested in becoming part of this we need to know as soon as possible.
We are in need of corporate and private sponsorship.
If there is interest they can contact me at 718-619-2371.
We will keep you posted as to our progress.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Dennis McKeon
Executive Director
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