I hope that you and your family are doing well during this time of uncertainty and anxiety.

Please allow me to begin with a personal story: Nearly 20 years ago, my two friends and their three-year-old son, David, had been visiting my home during a perfect fall weekend in New England. On September 8th, 2001, we celebrated with them over a dinner overlooking Perkins Cove in Ogunquit, Maine. We laughed – shared stories – and enjoyed my mom’s signature banana splits.

Seventy-two hours later, they perished onboard Flight 175 when it crashed into the 2nd World Trade Tower on September 11, 2001. I was booked on that same flight, but made a last minute change to accommodate an emergency dental appointment. As I worked through the overwhelming grief over the death of my friends, I decided the best way to honor their memory would be to do something small that had the potential to create great change.

Today, the Tramuto Foundation has remained steadfast to its mission to hear human need by financially supporting charitable organizations that work to make the world more just and fair. In addition, we have provided scholarships and a robust mentoring program to nearly 100 high school seniors who achieved great academic success, despite experiencing major challenges in their lives.

On Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, we will be honoring the achievements of nine organizations at the Tramuto Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Gala. We are working diligently to create a memorable experience that will take place at the renowned Cliff House Resort in Cape Neddick, ME. For supporters who cannot be there in person, there will be an opportunity to join us virtually that evening.

The net proceeds from the Tramuto Foundation 20th Anniversary Gala will be divided among our nine Gala Honorees, including Boston University School of Public Health, Good Shepherd Food Bank (Hampden, ME), Health eVillages (Marlborough, MA), Lwala Community Alliance (Nashville, TN), Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps (Lancaster, MA), Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights (New York, NY), St. Joseph’s College (Standish, ME), Thomas Jefferson University – College of Population Health (Philadelphia, PA) and the Tramuto Foundation.

As some of you may know, over the last five years I have been devoted to addressing social isolation and loneliness and championing the need for compassionate leadership in corporate America and communities across this country. Joining us in-person or by video on Sept 11th will be a number of notable compassionate leaders, Including journalist Katie Couric, who reported the events of 9-11 as they happened in New York City, several members of the Kennedy family, including Congressman Joseph Kennedy III and his aunt, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, and renowned Hollywood actor and human rights activist, Matt McCoy.

Please hold September 11, 2021 on your calendar to join us, either in person or virtually. I would be deeply grateful and honored by your participation in the Tramuto Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Gala and our ongoing efforts to make the world more fair and just. For more information about this event, please contact Catherine Marcoullier.

All the best,
Donato J. Tramuto