October 26, 2001

ON ACTION TAKEN TO SUPPORT FIRE FIGHTER FAMILIES

In my last Ross Report (Sept. 26, "On the Heroism of Fire Fighters in the Face of Unspeakable Tragedy"), I urged readers to show they care about MDA's heroes, the fire fighters, by supporting the New York Fire Fighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund.

I'm pleased to report that, with regard to that urgent plea, MDA has "put its money where its mouth is." MDA staff and volunteers across the country have opened up their checkbooks and made personal contributions to support the 9-11 fund which, in the wake of the Sept. 11 tragedy, helps the families of fallen fire fighters and EMS personnel in New York City.

Harold Schaitberger

Late last week, it was my privilege to be able to write to my friend Harold Schaitberger, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, enclosing the last of 987 contributions to the 9-11 fund totaling $66,336.03.

This sum was in addition to the many contributions our staff and volunteers had already given to IAFF locals for support of the relief fund. I also enclosed cards and letters from MDA staff expressing sympathy to fire fighter families that have endured unimaginable pain and loss.

Click the image above to read a letter from Harold Schaitberger, or click here to read the text only version.

I want to reproduce the letter I received from Harold Schaitberger in response to my Oct. 4 communication, because I know many readers will be heartened to read the words of the man who has come to represent the strength and courage of fire fighters nationwide:

MDA's urgent concern for our fire fighter friends is a sentiment that echoes throughout the entire extended MDA family, as can be proved by the letter I received from a talented artist who has much love in his heart for fire fighters, MDA… and the New York City skyline.

Charles Fazzino

MDA National Vice President Charles Fazzino is the most famous 3-D artist in the world, specializing in elaborate and richly detailed 3-D landscapes, many of them depicting New York. Since he is not affected by a neuromuscular disease, Fazzino normally would not be eligible for inclusion in MDA's National Art Collection, which showcases the talents of those affected by the muscular dystrophies and related diseases.

However, in 1999, Fazzino attended an MDA summer camp session in Center Moriches, N.Y. and collaborated with the campers to create a unique artwork titled "Summer Camp in the City."

"Summer Camp in the City."

It's a whimsical depiction of favorite attractions in the Big Apple, combined with self-made images of the MDA campers, ingeniously put together through Fazzino's patented 3-D process. This 4-by-6-foot creation is one of the larger items in the MDA National Art Collection and is currently on display at MDA National Headquarters in Tucson, Ariz.

For the campers who collaborated in this creative process, the painting preserved some wonderful memories from that summer's magical camp experience. Most poignantly, in the upper right hand corner, the artwork depicts the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, with friendly, welcoming smiles on their "faces."

Click the image above to read a letter from Charles Fazzino, or click here to read the text only version.

Fazzino, who has also used his fabulous artistic ability to raise funds for MDA, was greatly moved to hear about MDA's concern for our friends at the IAFF and wrote the following letter:

Many of us will look forward to seeing this unique Fazzino tribute to the World Trade Center, and hope he will continue to depict the enduring beauty of the New York skyline for years to come.

I want to extend personal thanks to MDA staff, MDA friends such as Charles Fazzino and other caring people across the country who have taken action to provide relief to fire fighter families. If ever there was a time to give back to the heroes who have given so much to this nation -- and to MDA -- that time is surely now.

With every best wish…

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