For the past 10 years, I have been supporting this project with my savings. Most of the materials (embroidery floss, lighted magnifier, fusible interfacing) are all made in the USA and have been donated by the manufacturers. However, all of that has now changed. The fabric and preservation framing for each of the panels have not been donated and I cannot afford them. The memorial needs your help.

Fortunately, I have some ideas about how to accomplish that. All of these ideas are part of a grass roots effort so that every American can contribute to the process in some way if you choose. Just click on the button in the left side bar or below to read more about them. You can:

The Americana Stars Memorial is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a 501(c)3 non-profit arts service organization. Contributions on behalf of this project made through Fractured Atlas are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Participation through Sponsor-a-Star, Make a Donation and Stitch-a-Star are tax deductible and you will receive a customized certificate. The buttons in the left side bar will take you to pages that will explain each of the 4 options. Since I know there will be questions, please feel free to email me from the bottom of this or any page on the website.

You can view and read all about this project at The Americana Stars Memorial or click the button in the side bar. The following websites are publishing my story with some very complimentary introductions (I am grateful).

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SPECIAL NOTICE -- On October 20th, 2012, the Harbor Light Pub in Rockaway Park, NY sponsored and hosted a "Thank You" event for everyone who sponsored the star of a 9/11 victim from the Rockaways and Broad Channel. On October 29th, 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit. The Harbor Light Pub burned to the ground along with a dozen adjoining buildings amid tremendous widespread devastation throughout the Northeastern coast of the USA. Many locations were so decimated by fire, wind, rain and flooding, it looks like it went through a time machine and ended up in war-torn Europe during WWII.

Throughout the years, I have had the priviledge to get to know how wonderful and close-knit the families of the Rockaway communities are. The Graybeards is an organization that was started following September 11, 2001 by a basketball league in the Rockaways of the same name. They have helped many people along the way and have made a generous donation to The Americana Stars Memorial in an effort to make sure that the stars of 9/11 victims from the Rockaways and Broad Channel will be sponsored. Read all about them and the inspiring work they do at www.graybeards.com. This is a group of gentlemen that can absolutely be trusted with your heartfelt donations to help victims of Hurricane Sandy. As always, 100% of all donations are used to help people. All administration costs are paid for by the members themselves, which they consider to be a priviledge.

You can see photos of the event on the "PRESS" page. Read about The Rockaway community and the Graybeards in a terrific article with photos published in The New York Times. (If your computer brings up a notification bar, click the "Show All Content" button to see the entire article and photos. Otherwise, scroll down to read the text.)