9/11 SHS Memorial Fund, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation established to honor the memory of five Seaford High School graduates who died in the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center. We remember and honor the memories of Thomas Haskell, Timothy Haskell, John Perry, Robert Sliwak and Michael Wittenstein.
We now accept VENMO at the following address: SHS MEMORIAL FUND @SHS_911_MemorialFund (be sure to add your name).
COMMITTEE ACHIEVEMENTS
The Seaford 9/11 Memorial Committee’s motto is SERVICE, CHARACTER, and COMMITMENT. The committee has lived up to the commitment made by so many after the terrorist attack on our country to “Always Remember.” On November 22, 2002, the Seaford High School 9/11 Memorial was dedicated to our five alumni and all those who perished on September 11, 2001. As of January 2023, the Seaford 9/11 Memorial has been listed on the National 9/11 Registry. The 9/11 National Registry has rated our memorial and related programs as one of the “most outstanding” from over 1,000 memorials in its records. The overwhelming support from the Seaford community has been the committee’s inspiration for numerous annual initiatives, such as:
- Annual Patriot Award scholarships have been presented each year since June 2002. One Hundred twelve (112) Seaford High School graduating students since 2002 have received an amount in excess of $235,000.
- Honorary Patriot Awards have been bestowed upon fifty-nine (59) individuals who have made significant contributions to our community, including this year to Nick Bilotta, Elaine S. Tamsen, and Joseph M. Mottola (SHS ’81)
- Since September 2003, a 9/11 Memorial Candle Lighting Ceremony has been held at our commemorative plaza on every September 11th.
- Patriot Award and Honorary Patriot Award recipients are honored annually at our Patriot Award dinner which is held every June to honor our five alumni and the new recipients of both the Patriot Award and Honorary Patriot Award.
- The Seaford 9/11 Memorial Committee’s ongoing mission to educate students about the historical events of September 11, 2001 and the value of community service has included donations of 9/11 history books, trees, field trips to the National 9/11 Memorial in New York City, and sponsored assemblies pertinent to service, patriotism and the events of September 11, 2001. We now have created a 911 Museum Brochure for Senior Class Field Trip that our students and community members can use when visiting the site in New York City.
- Since 2009, in recognition of September 11th as a National Day of Commitment to Service, hundreds of community members and students annually have presented Pledges of Commitment for Community Service at our 9/11 Memorial Candle lighting ceremony on September 11th.
- Hundreds of community members annually take part in our Commitment to Service program which has inspired the addition of a School / Community Service recognition on the Seaford High School diploma.
- The Memorial Brick Program continues to memorialize individuals and generates funds in support of the maintenance and preservation of the memorial. We now accept VENMO payments.
- Hundreds of community members annually make Pledges of Commitment for Community Service that are presented at our 9/11 Memorial Candle Lighting Ceremony.
- Our 2002-2022 Memorial Commemorative Coin Fundraiser helps the committee to fulfill its mission to Always Remember.
- The Seaford High School’s “Pathways to Service” Program, highlighting the theme of “Service-Character-Commitment,” was created and inspired by our committee. The program provides opportunities for school and community service to every student throughout their four years at Seaford High School. The official designation of School/Community Service recognition is on the Seaford High School diploma.
- Gifts are made annually to the schools in the Seaford School District.
- Three World Trade Center artifacts and a Survivor Tree cutting were added to our memorial, dedicated at the 2016 SHS 9/11 Memorial Candle Lighting ceremony.