Reflecting on the 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001

Dear Community,

Tomorrow we mark the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks that shook our country to the core. We reflect on all those affected on that fateful day. God’s Love We Deliver stands in solidarity with our neighbors in Lower Manhattan and citywide as we remember the precious lives lost. We observe this day with reverence and honor all those who put their lives on the line in the face of unimaginable destruction.

As I reflect on the events that unfolded on 9/11, I am struck by the countless moments of bravery and kindness shown as New Yorkers came together and cared for each other. It also fills me with profound pride to commemorate the critical role God’s Love played in the wake of the attacks. Members of our team, some of whom are still on staff today, worked tirelessly to ensure that every single volunteer, staff member, and client was safe and accounted for. In the following days, staff members converted our SoHo headquarters into a place of comfort and respite for anyone in need of water, a meal or a place to rest. Remarkably, we served more than 3,000 meals to first responders participating in rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero.

Today, God’s Love staff came together virtually in remembrance of 9/11. Five staff members who were at God’s Love that day shared with all of us their experiences and memories of that day and the days afterward: Pat Costello, Office Manager; David Cholcher, Digital Transformation Senior Analyst; Andre Daquigan, Senior Sous Chef; Dorella Walters, Senior Director of External Program Affairs;  and, Paul Pierson, Staff Accountant. They reminded us of our collective strength, our immediate response, and our caring support to so many at such an urgent, painful time.

As we recall these moments that are etched in our minds forever, know that our loving and healing thoughts are with those who lost friends, family, and colleagues on that tragic day. We honor their legacy by supporting those in our community during times of crisis and will do so for many years to come. Thank you for allowing us to do this work and for being an indispensable part of the God’s Love Community.

All my best,

Karen Pearl, President & CEO