Back to News and Press Releases September 5, 2007

FDNY marks 9/11 anniversary by rebuilding Texas family's home

SAN MARCOS, Texas--New York City firefighters will mark the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks by rebuilding a tornado-ravaged home near Waco, Texas.

The New York Says Thank You Foundation hosts an annual build the weekend prior to September 11 in communities affected by disasters throughout the U.S.

“It’s our way of honoring all the love and support that New Yorkers received from people all across the United States in the days, weeks and months following September 11,” says Jeff Parness, the founder of New York Says Thank You. “We are joined by a growing group of volunteers from all the communities we have helped nationwide on previous anniversaries of 9/11 who show up at our next rebuilding projects as their way to give back and ‘pay it forward.’”

The New York Says Thank You Foundation, with the support of Bob McCain Custom Homes and McCoy’s Building Supply, will spend the sixth anniversary of the attacks rebuilding the home of James and Eva Vincent.

The Vincent homestead in Groesbeck, Texas was destroyed by an F3 tornado on December 29, 2006. Three generations of the Vincent family have hosted and cared for disabled veterans in their community. With their assisted-living program, disabled veterans lived in the Vincent home, often breaking bread with the family and playing with the Vincent’s infant son Hunter.

New York City firefighters, who will travel to Groesbeck to rebuild the Vincent family home, will be joined by as many as 100 volunteers from around the country. Volunteers include survivors of Hurricane Katrina from Slidell, Louisiana, survivors from the 2003 San Diego wildfires and survivors of the 2004 Utica, Illinois and 2005 Evansville, Indiana tornadoes, as well as hundreds of local volunteers from across East Central Texas.

For more information, please visit www.NewYorkSaysThankYou.org or call McCoy’s Building Supply at (512) 395-6644 ext. 292.