Whitefish Community Foundation has awarded a $50,000 Major Community Project Grant to the Whitefish Firefighters Association to support the construction of a 9/11 memorial, a permanent tribute to those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and to the courage and sacrifice of the first responders who answered the call.
The grant comes as the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 and will help create a lasting place for remembrance, reflection and education in the Flathead Valley.
Located at the Whitefish Emergency Services Center on land donated by the City of Whitefish, the memorial will provide a place where residents and visitors can honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on Sept. 11, as well as the firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, military members and countless others whose lives were forever changed.
"The Major Community Project Grant will have a tremendous impact on this project by helping us create a lasting space for remembrance, reflection and education within the Flathead Valley," said Sal Baccaro, chairman of the Whitefish 9/11 Memorial Committee. "This memorial will ensure future generations can learn about the events of 9/11 and the values of service, resilience and unity that emerged in its aftermath. It will also provide a meaningful gathering place to honor first responders, military members and all those whose lives were impacted by the tragedy."
"Twenty-five years later, there's an entire generation of Americans who know Sept. 11 only through the stories of others," said Alan Davis, president and CEO of Whitefish Community Foundation. "This memorial will help preserve those stories of courage and sacrifice. It reminds us that even in moments of profound tragedy, communities can come together with compassion, resolve and a commitment to caring for one another."
Construction on Phase 1 of the memorial is already underway and remains on schedule. The first phase includes a Pentagon-shaped foundation centered around pieces of steel recovered from the World Trade Center. Organizers plan to unveil the steel during a community 25th anniversary 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, and invite the public to attend. The keynote speaker will be Kevin Shea, a retired lieutenant with the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), who participated in rescue efforts at the World Trade Center during the attacks.
The Whitefish Firefighters Association is also raising funds for the memorial through this year's Great Fish Community Challenge, Whitefish Community Foundation's annual charitable giving campaign. Community members who wish to support the project can make a gift during the Challenge starting Aug. 11 to help complete the memorial. Fundraising is underway to reach the project's $665,000 goal.
The memorial is being made possible through a collaborative effort involving the Whitefish Firefighters Association, Whitefish Community Foundation, the City of Whitefish, local businesses, volunteers and community donors.
Major Community Project Grants help nonprofit organizations complete capital projects that will have a significant and positive effect on communities in the Flathead Valley. Funding comes from Circle of Giving donors who give $5,000 or more annually to support the grant programs of Whitefish Community Foundation. Since 2010, Whitefish Community Foundation has awarded nearly $1.6 million through the Major Community Project Grant Program to local nonprofits.
About Whitefish Firefighters Association
The Whitefish Firefighters Association supports the health, safety, and well-being of first responders by investing in life-saving equipment, essential hands-on training, and fundamental resources to reduce toxic exposures and manage mental wellness. Learn more at facebook.com/WhitefishFirefightersAssociation.
About Whitefish Community Foundation
Whitefish Community Foundation fosters philanthropy, builds endowments and helps donors and nonprofits benefit the greater Flathead Valley. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded more than $120 million in grants to nonprofit organizations. Learn more at whitefishcommunityfoundation.org.
Back to all articles
