The 5th Annual Voices of September 11th "Always Remember" gala was a night filled with remembrance and heartfelt personal reflections at New York City’s Chelsea Piers on Wednesday, June 20th. Co-founder Mary Fetchet and Gala Chair Bonnie McEneaney planned an entertaining and commemorative evening honoring those lost on 9/11 and supporting the ongoing work of Voices of September 11th to provide assistance to 9/11 family members, survivors and rescue workers.

The evening began with a cocktail reception and silent auction featuring generous donations from New Jersey’s Despasquale Spa, Heldrich Hotel, Omega Institute, Paper Mill Playhouse, Peggy Karr Glass, Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, Spirit Cruises, State Theatre of New Jersey, Stress Factory Comedy Club, The Westin Governor Morris, and Toyota of Morristown. As guests took their seats, VOICES Board of Directors Chairman, Kurt Wolfgruber, welcomed the crowd of over 350 guests with an address honoring and remembering the lives lost on 9/11.

The program included a heartwarming address by the Today Show’s, Kathie Lee Gifford, and performance with friend and Composer David Friedman, of "Little Baby", a song written for a close friend who lost her husband on 9/11.  The documentary film “Voices” premiered. Building Bridges Awards were given to Christopher  DelPozzo and Kevin P. Murphy of Lend Lease to recognize their tireless efforts in building the 9/11 Memorial, which opened in September 2011 for the 10th anniversary.  Musical entertainment was provided by opera singer Amanda Nisenson, as well as soloists, Joan Carlo and Matt Thomas, of Saint Thomas More Church in Darien, CT.

Voices of September 11th was co-founded by 9/11 family members Mary Fetchet and Beverly Eckert in 2001 to provide information and support services to all those impacted by the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  Over a decade since 9/11, VOICES continues to provide a wide range of programs that promote resiliency for thousands of 9/11 families, rescue workers and survivors living in the United States and abroad, commemorates the lives lost, advocates for reforms to make our country safer and shares lessons learned to assist others responding to traumatic events.  "Over ten years after 9/11, VOICES membership continues to grow and many families are contacting us for the first time.  This year's gala highlighted the importance of providing opportunities to honor the lives lost as well as to share personal stories and recognize the strength and resiliency demonstrated by so many since September 12, 2001," remarked Mary Fetchet.  

Proceeds from the gala will support the Voices of September 11th 9/11 Living Memorial Project which chronicles the lives of the nearly 3,000 lost and documents firsthand accounts of rescue workers and survivors at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA.  The 9/11 Living Memorial contains an extensive collection of over 60,000 photographs, written materials and personal keepsakes and will continue to expand over time.  Featured by the Clinton Global Initiative, the 9/11 Living Memorial Project will be a key component of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City.

Information about the Living Memorial Project can be found on the Voices of September 11th website, www.voicesofseptember11.org or by calling Sheri Burkat at 732-543-2300.