Charities

Falling is dedicated to those who have lost their lives at the hands of terrorists. It’s for their families, friends, and other loved ones left behind, and for those who have been witnesses to terrorist acts.

A portion of the proceeds of this novel is being donated to 9/11-associated charities. If you would like to join Russ in supporting these valuable organizations, please visit the non-profits described below.

The 9/12 Generation Project:
www.theapef.org/912-generation-project
The 9/12 Generation Project has reached over 500,000 students and continues to grow. A program of the American Public Education Foundation, this is a service-learning project that educates, inspires and activates students about the power of volunteering. The project supports character education and anti-bullying curriculum by teaching the following core values: leadership, compassion, citizenship, diversity, kindness, resilience, overcoming tragedy through hope and volunteerism. Each month, The 9/12 Generation Project introduces new service-learning projects and offers students and educators opportunities to apply for grants and enter contests that continue to focus on the universal lesson of volunteerism. Created in September 2012 by the New York Says Thank You Foundation, the original program helped educators discuss the tragic events of September 11, 2001 by focusing on "9/12".

Global Post Traumatic Stress Injury Foundation:
www.globalptsifoundation.org
The Global Post Traumatic Stress Injury Foundation’s mission is to facilitate access to an innovative biological treatment for Veterans and all others who have faced traumatic experiences and are suffering from post-traumatic stress injuries. Global PTSI Foundation’s focus is on the 1.3 million diagnosed US Veterans as well as the global epidemic of Veterans and Civilians suffering from PTSI, by promoting the best methods for treatment with a projected marked impact on the patients and society.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum:
www.911memorial.org
Honoring the lives of those who were lost during the attacks and rescue efforts of 9/11 is at the heart of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s mission. Occupying eight of the 16 acres at the World Trade Center, the Memorial is a tribute to the past and a place of hope for the future. It features a historical exhibition exploring the background leading up to the events and examining their aftermath and continuing implications; a memorial exhibition named In Memoriam, which commemorates the lives of those who perished September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993; and the Foundation Hall, which is a massive room hosing the last column and the slurry wall of the WTC. More than 2.7 million visitors from around the world have visited in the past year.

Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund:
www.familiesoffreedom.org
Freedom Scholarship Fund has awarded $115.9 million to 2,825 financially needy dependents of those killed or permanently disabled in the 9/11 attacks and rescue efforts. A program of Scholarship America®, the nation's largest non-profit, private sector scholarship and educational support organization, the Fund provides private scholarships for children, spouses and domestic partners of people who were killed on September 11, 2001, or permanently disabled during the rescue operation. The Fund is transforming the lives and supporting the educational dreams of families of airplane crews and passengers, World Trade Center and Pentagon workers and visitors, and those who were killed or permanently disabled in the attacks.

Tuesday’s Children:
www.tuesdayschildren.org
In partnership with experts from around the world and in collaboration with renowned facilitators and mental health professionals, Tuesday’s Children serves communities altered by an act of violence. The organization can assist in program development for community-based organizations, corporate or employee assistance programs, and aid government agencies and other service providers who seek to deliver effective long-term recovery to their own communities in the wake of tragedy.

Heart 9/11:
www.heart911.org
Healing Emergency Aid Response Team (HEART 9/11) is a team of first responders - FDNY, NYPD, PAPD and the NYC Building Trades - that bonded in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, to honor the sacrifices of brave colleagues and family members lost, to continue to utilize their experience and training in service to others and to bring a message of hope to communities affected by disaster. HEART 9/11’s mission is to respond immediately to natural and man-made disasters, rebuild infrastructure in hard-hit areas to meet immediate needs, and recover by building resiliency for individuals, families, and communities.

FealGood Foundation:
www.fealgoodfoundation.com
To assist all emergency personnel, including but not limited to, firefighters, police officers, nurses, volunteers, sanitation workers, transportation workers and construction workers, within the United States who have been injured, or face serious injury due to action or omission, in the course of their duties or within their everyday lives. The mission of the FGF includes educating elected officials and private entities on the various problems, concerns and issues faced by First Responders in their everyday duties. The FGF is therefore dedicated to advocating for First Responder rights and illuminating, to proper authorities, the serious issues they encounter.

For Action Initiative:
www.foractioninitiative.org
To raise awareness about the effects of public trauma and terrorism on people, societies, and the world, and to educate teachers and our youth about the history of terrorism, international relations, global security, and domestic and international policies. To inspire young people to take action—as individuals and as part of their community—and support efforts that someday might prevent future acts of global terrorism.

VOICES of September 11:
www.voicesofseptember11.org
VOICES helps families heal after tragedy, a vital mission that began after 9/11. Today, the organization continues to address the long-term needs of those impacted by 9/11, while helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from other acts of mass violence and disasters.

New York Says Thank You:
www.newyorksaysthankyou.org
The mission of this charity is to build hope and provide healing to people around the world to continually “pay it forward” for the humanity, kindness, and volunteer spirit New Yorkers – and all Americans – experienced on 9/12. For the past few years, New York Says Thank You Foundation has operated five inter-related programs focused on survivor empowerment in disaster relief, education, and the arts.