Families of 9/11 victims honor loved ones by giving back | How you can help
In the wake of the September 11 attacks, pain and shock gave way to patriotism, resilience and generosity.
Every Sept. 11, Joyce Rodak and her two daughters gather at Chestnut Branch Park in Mantua Township, New Jersey, where three plaques, including one honoring her husband, John Rodak, commemorate lives lost 25 years ago.
"I have two daughters. They were 10 and five when this happened. Now they're 35 and 30," Rodak said.
While the pain of losing her husband remains, Rodak said she is grateful for the support her family received in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks.
"Sometimes the pain still overwhelming It truly is," she said.
Like many families affected by 9/11, Rodak has sought to transform loss into service and give other families hope. She founded JR's Angels, a nonprofit named for her husband.
"It's John Rodak's Angels. That's why it's JR's angels," she said.
The organization provides help to families who've suffered catastrophic loss and supports other community causes throughout the year.
Its efforts include assisting veterans organizations, food banks, special needs organizations and people struggling with addiction.
Another local family has found a way to honor a loved one through education. Danielle Kousoulis, a Villanova graduate, was 29 years old when she died in 2001.
Her family established the Danielle Kousoulis Memorial Scholarship Fund to preserve her memory and help future students.
"Danielle was just a very fun, warm, engaging person," said her sister, Eleni Kousoulis.
The passage of time has underscored the milestones Kousoulis never had the opportunity to experience.
"When I realize all the stuff she's missed out on over the last 25 years, me getting married, me having my child, and a lot of other milestones, I've come to realize how long it's been," Eleni said.
The scholarship fund reflects Kousoulis' character and commitment to helping others, her family said.
"She was such a generous, caring, and giving person. This would be a great way, establishing a scholarship fund to give back to others, just like she always did her entire life," Eleni said.
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The scholarships benefit seniors at Haddon Township High School, Kousoulis' alma mater, as well as students at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church and the Hellenic University Club.
"I think to date, we've given close to $100,000 in scholarships, and we hope to continue to be able to do that as the scholarship grows," said Eleni.
As families mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, organizations such as JR's Angels and the Danielle Kousoulis Memorial Scholarship Fund continue to honor the memories of loved ones by supporting others in their communities.
And if you'd like to help 9/11 families or first responders, Action News has put together a list of nonprofits here:
-Danielle Kousoulis Memorial Scholarship Fund
