Supporting the Children
by Gail Jaffe-Bennek

     Maggie Oyen, the proprietor of flower wholesaler Stems, located in the Chocolate Factory, in Red Hook, is one of the moving spirits behind an impressive new charity founded since September 11th to benefit the children directly affected by the tragedy. "Grass roots local, with a national scope," is how Maggie describes the Fund's focus. After the Setpember 11th events Maggie and her friends Karen Jerro and Denise Caron decided to help in their own small way by making and selling patriotic ribbons.      Expecting to raise and donate a few hundred dollars, she was thrilled at the response as the ribbon sales and fund grew and grew. Quickly the Fund was incorporated "for the purpose of providing financial support through scholarships, apprenticeships, internships, work-study programs, and work training programs." The goal now is to raise $40 million from corporations, unions, financial institutions, schools, college, universities, trade schools and media organizations. These will make cash donations or pledge scholarships, apprencticeships, internships, work-study and work training programs, summer camp programs, and mental health support. The fund will be in operation until the year 2031.
     The September 11th Children's Fund, Inc. is one of 194 organizations founded since the disaster. Of those, sixty are for scholarships for children and of those sixty the Children's Fund was one of twenty chosen by the Citigroup Foundation to meet on November 15th to formulate a "one-stop application" process for scholarships.
     Maggie seems to take this all in stride. When asked where she sees the Fund going from here, she simply replies "going up." Many local and New York City businesses and individuals have helped in various ways. It is Maggie's belief that everyone has something to offer. In her words, "Everyone has a network, and if they can't donate dollars they can open doors. Some who have contributed their talents gratis have been Elena Erber Graphic Design, website designer Steve Bliss, novelist Richard Ford, Dan Baxter (who created the evocative logo that can be seen on T-shirts now for sale as a fundraiser through the Fund or at local stores such as Habitu and Samuel's in Rhinebeck). Rhinebeck Savings Bank contributed locally, a police chief in California donated $57,000, wholesale bag designer Nordic House donated thousands of bags that are being sold at special warehouse sales at the Chocolate Factory and elsewhere. Bard College provided the "scholastic launch" by donating five scholarships per year.
     Donations (every dollar of which will go towards the Fund, not administrative costs, insists Maggie) can be sent to the September 11th Children's Fund, 98 Elizabeth St., Red Hook 12571. And visit the website at www.911childrensfund.org or call 845-758-0911 for more information on how you can help locally.