SYNOPSIS:
September 11, 2001 is a day that will live in the minds of our country forever. America was attacked, testing the foundation of this great country. “New York Says Thank You,” a great epic story of healing and patriotic heroism, is told through the lives of four New Yorkers (a playful firefighter from the Bronx, the stern yet sensitive Construction Superintendent of Ground Zero, an Italian financial advisor and family man from Staten Island, and an Irish Catholic firefighter whose first fire was on 9/11.) These individuals grow, face their emotions, and ultimately triumph over tragedy through an amazing community effort that evolved from a five-year-old New York City boy’s idea. This feature length documentary film sheds a new light of hope and honor on the memory of this historic day.
“As adults we often forget that a small idea can grow into something very big.”
On November 1st, 2003, five-year-old Evan Parness, while watching the news with his father, learned of the devastation of California’s worst firestorm in the state’s history. Wide-eyed, this young boy told his father he wanted to send toys and clothes to the children who had just lost everything. Four days later,1000 emails, and 100 volunteers combined with immeasurable love, the boy’s father and friends began a journey which has spun into an ever-growing foundation. Off to California in a U-haul truck, full of toys and relief items, with a banner that read “New York Says Thank You,” never did they realize what that statement would be.
 The journey of supplies from New York City to the California firestorm victims brought not only aid but also a glimpse of fundamental humanity, prompting the creation of the New York Says Thank You Foundation. The trip to San Diego, meant to be a lesson in sharing from a father to a son, has begun a crusade of patriotism and selfless giving across America. New York Says Thank You is a way for New Yorkers to say “Thanks” to America for all the support New York received the days, weeks, and months following 9/11.
Every year on the anniversary of 9/11, New York father and son take New York City firefighters and other New Yorkers, who personally experienced 9/11, to help rebuild a community affected by a disaster. The New York Says Thank You Foundation has helped rebuild homes burned in the Southern California wildfires; replanted 428 trees in two small Illinois towns devastated by an F3 tornado; rebuilt a 140-year-old church destroyed in a deadly Indiana tornado; and rebuilt the tornado-ravaged home of a Texas family that has cared for Disabled Veterans for three generations; helped rebuild the homes lost in Hurricane Katrina of a 6-year-old boy in Slidell, Louisiana battling Leukemia and a 38-year-old mother in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi battling terminal cancer; and built a 14000 sq. ft. 4-H fairground pavilion/barn for the town of Greensburg, Kansas that was 95% destroyed by an EF-5 tornado.
Amazingly, volunteers from every community helped in the past continually show up year after year, no matter the location, to “pay it forward.” From a 5-year-old’s idea, the group has grown to include dozens of firefighters from across the nation (including many from NYFD) and volunteers from all walks of life. The giving nature of this movement is a true lesson in humanity to everyone involved. The documentary will present the Foundation’s story from conception to future growth, carefully weaving between stories of devastation, feelings of unconditional love, patriotism, sharing and above all else, what is at the core of this great country- Heart. |
