When I think of the incredible work that The Blue Card does, I think of my great-grandfather, a survivor brought here by my grandparents who escaped Germany. He had lost everything - his generations-old business, the neighborhood he had built for his family to live and work close together, and most importantly his family itself. 36 "immediate" members of our family were killed, including those who would have been my mother's uncles and aunts, first cousins, and grandparents. Coming from Theresienstadt, where he had lost his wife, my great-grandfather struggled to adjust to life in a one room apartment in Washington Heights, even with the little help my grandparents could provide.
Many of today's survivors were less fortunate than my family, in part because they were prevented in their early lives from building a foundation of health, education, or family from which to grow. The Blue Card for decades has supported these individuals with their greatest needs, and continues to meet their acute needs as they age, with dignity and compassion.
I can think of no more meaningful way to honor my family, or these individuals who have already struggled against and overcome so much, than to contribute to the remarkable work of The Blue Card.
***
I want to thank those who were able to contribute to the campaign last year when the NYC Marathon was canceled due to COVID. Your contributions eased the hardships of this vulnerable population during a particularly traumatic time.
To further expand our impact, I will be matching the first $5,000 of donations.
