TTOF Overview

The Twin Towers Orphan Fund was established on September 13, 2001 to assist the children who were orphaned (who lost one or both parents) by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  TTOF is not a disaster relief fund, but instead is a long-term higher educational and health care support trust fund with a life span of more than 20 years.

The mission of the Twin Towers Orphan Fund is to provide long-term higher educational assistance and mental and physical health care assistance for children who lost one or both parents in the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon, or onboard the four downed airliners.

The Twin Towers Orphan Fund is a program of Garden Pathways Inc., an established 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Bakersfield, Calif. Garden Pathways' Family-to-Family Mentoring program was the official host charity and provided the Fund's start-up administrative support, accounting services, banking, and legal status.

Garden Pathways is recognized by the federal government and receives funds known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families distributed by the Kern County (Calif.) Department of Human Services. It also receives children's voucher funds from the State of California. It is recognized by the Kern County Board of Supervisors, members of the California State Assembly, Employer's Training Resource's Welfare to Work program, and Community Connection for Child Care, among others. Its funds are audited by an independent certified public accountant. Such audit reports are available to the public upon demand.

The Twin Towers Orphan Fund began as a national grass-roots effort lead by W. Knox Richardson of KRPR.COM who recruited the assistance of Michele Weaver of Terraformers, David Mills of Garden Pathways, Inc., and a coalition of 35 independent public relations practitioners around the nation. Within days, TTOF received a groundswell of support from elected officials, civic leaders, public corporations, and the charitable community across the nation.

To reply to the drastic needs of the survivors of victims in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the Twin Towers Orphan Fund began its long-term efforts by offering 100 percent of all donations to be used for the benefit of the children who lost one or both parents in the attacks by developing a 100 percent volunteer charity. During its first seven months, the TTOF administrative overhead was borne from the pockets of volunteers, by monies donated specifically for administration and by ancillary fund raising activities. Beginning in the 2nd quarter of 2002, TTOF implemented a 90 percent model where 10 percent of donations will be used for ongoing program expansion, administrative overhead and fundraising efforts. Still well below the 25 - 35% that most national charities require to cover these same costs, TTOF will continue its efforts with the help of volunteers as practical.

Donations can be made to "Twin Towers Orphan Fund," 1401 19th St., Ste. 130, Bakersfield, CA 93301. A tax-deductible receipt will be provided for donations of $250 or more. To make donations by telephone, call 661-633-9076, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time.

TWIN TOWERS ORPHAN FUND - MEDIA FACT SHEET

Name of the fund: Twin Towers Orphan Fund

Date founded: Sept. 13, 2001

Host charity: Garden Pathways Inc.

Headquarters: 1401 19th St., Ste. 130, Bakersfield, CA 93301 Phone: (661) 633-9076

Purpose: To provide assistance in higher-education as well as mental and physical health care to children currently under the age of 21 (or enrolled in accredited institutions of higher learning) who lost one or both parents in the terrorist-caused disasters of September 11, 2001.

Status: Fully tax-exempt pursuant to sec. 501 (c)(3) of the IRS code. Tax ID: 77-0442212

How to donate:
~ By mail: Send checks along with this form to Twin Towers Orphan Fund, 1401 19th St., Ste. 130, Bakersfield, CA 93301
~ By Telephone: Call (661) 633-9076
~ By credit card: www.ttof.org

Media contact:
~ W. Knox Richardson, (408) 499-7146

Benefits contact:
~ Michel Weaver, (661) 633-9076