A Message In A Glove Brings A Heartfelt Response

By Tanjua Damon

“Purchased on Friday. Gently used from my hands to yours.”

This message was sent to New York City in a glove so that a volunteer or rescuer would have a token of thanks for the work and energy that they have given to help after the September 11 terrorist attack. The note was sent by a Hawley School family in one of more than pairs of 450 gloves sent to show appreciation.

Hawley first grader Erica Knapp also sent a message of thanks that read, “Thank you for doing this nice thing where the plane crash was. Thank you very, very much. I sent these pair of gloves for you. I hope you are going to be safe when looking for evidence.”

To her surprise, Erica received a response from her message that was inside the gloves from Detective Charles Villani from the Bronx Homicide Squad with the New York City Police Department. He wrote to Erica about the impact the message had on him and those he shared it with as he was working at the landfill on Staten Island going through debris.

“I really hope that he won’t get hurt,” Erica said. “I really appreciate that they are doing this.”

Many students have been finding positive things to do to help victims and rescuers who were directly affected by the September 11 attack. Erica wanted to do something good, but also wanted to let those who did this know that it hurt her and many others.

“I’m so mad at them. I think they should stop doing what they do and think about people who are going to get hurt,” she said. “The bad people should have been being more nicer and should have been more respectful. I just don’t like it when people are doing bad things to people in our country.”

Special Education teacher Mary Walsh’s husband, Gene, who works for Con Edison, helped get the gloves to the rescuers so that they would be used. The country has been so helpful in collecting items that much of the supplies were being brought to a warehouse in New Jersey until they were needed. But Mrs Walsh wanted to make sure that the special gloves reached those who were working on the World Trade Center tragedy.

“We wanted to do something that would show our reaching out,” Mrs Walsh said. “I think it’s important to share your feelings with people to let them know we appreciate what they do. Knowing that even a small act can touch someone’s life. Small things make a difference.”

Mrs Walsh tried to contact Det Villani, but he was not in the office. She spoke with another detective who explained that Det Villani is the type of person to respond to a student’s letter.

“His taking the time to thank us made a tremendous impact,” Mrs Walsh said. “The need to recognize the day-to-day things we do, that’s an important message for kids.”

Reading Recovery teacher Marilyn Aylward was watching television soon after the attacks and wanted to come up with a way the students could do something to help.

“I was just watching the TV. They were talking about the need for all these things,” Ms Aylward said. “This light bulb went off.”

The students, bus drivers, and others came through with more than 450 pairs of gloves within a couple of days. Many of the pairs included messages from the students who wrote them at home and put them inside.

Having Det Villani write back put the spirit of the messages in place for the entire school that good things can be done to help people even if they do live miles away. Reaching out is one way to show volunteers, rescuers, and families they are in the thoughts and hearts of many since this tragedy occurred.