On Sept. 5, Fairfield seniors Amanda Martignetti and Jennifer Gregory chose to make remembering Sept. 11 unique. They didn’t just remember. They commemorated.
“In Our Own Words,” is an event sponsored by Safe Horizon, a violence protection organization. This event brought together celebrities, firefighters, victims and these two Fairfield University students to celebrate the lives of those that were lost last September.
Martignetti works at a public relations’s firm, JfM2 Productions, over her summer vacations and is a communications major at Fairfield. This summer, JFM2 Productions named her Project Manager of “In Our Own Words,” where she was responsible for organizing the event from start to finish.
“This benefit is important for two reasons,” said Martignetti. “It will first help to raise money for the victims and it will also, more importantly, pay tribute to the lives that were lost. It is critical that we don’t forget.”
Gregory agrees. She also feels that Safe Horizon was a great opportunity for her to do something that involves her passion for production.
“I worked with the woman producing the technical aspects of the night,” said Gregory. “I got to help with sound check, lighting and a read-through of the program before the talent got there. Since I really want to go into television production, it was great to see how a live event is put together.”
Held at the Tribeca Rooftop, “In Our Own Words” was a collection of five Sept. 11 portraits from “Portraits of Grief” by The New York Times.
The victims’ stories were read by actors Martin Sheen and Stephanie March and by Jan Hoffman, the metro news reporter for The New York Times. William B. Feehan, the son of fallen firefighter William Feehan, read his father’s portrait.
Safe Horizon has its very own story, one of support. It has already distributed over $100 million in emergency financial relief to this cause and has helped over 45,000 people.
Safe Horizon also provides a 1-800 number for Sept. 11 victims, which offers assistance in finding counseling, lawyers and financial advice. Even now, one year later, the 24-hour hotline receives 300 calls a day.
With 75 sites across the five boroughs of New York City, Safe Horizon does not stop here. It also helps crime victims, immigrants and the homeless and domestic violence and sexual assault victims.
Carlos Beato of Safe Horizon is happy to see so many young people getting involved.
“Proving support is a great thing, but watching young people get involved early is even better,” said Beato. “I get to help people for a living. I’m lucky. If we can influence more and more people to get involved, that makes all the difference.”
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