SAN DIEGO REPRESENTED AT GROUND ZERO DURING 9/11 EVENTS

San Diego, California, will proudly be represented in New York City at events surrounding the remembrance of September 11.

SAN DIEGO REPRESENTED AT GROUND ZERO DURING 9/11 EVENTS - San Diego,
California, will proudly be represented in New York City at events
surrounding the remembrance of September 11. The Children's Quilt,
a child's vision of peace, love, and hope, will travel to the East
Coast thanks to the generosity of the United Parcel Service. This
amazing creation, made by over 6,000 children from San Diego and across the nation, will
be on display in a renovated fire house community center located six
blocks from Ground Zero. The beautiful and touching quilt is the
brainchild of Matt D'Arrigo, founder of ARTS (A Reason to Survive), a
San Diego-based not-for-profit organization providing free artistic
opportunities to young lives in need and children facing adversities.

"We believe that the arts give children a reason to survive
difficulties and adversities in their lives. This is an ongoing
project that will be used to promote peace, love and hope in
communities throughout the country," D'Arrigo said. "We would like
to reach as many children as possible, especially those affected by
the tragic events of September 11."

The Children's Quilt, created to remember 9/11, promotes personal
visions of peace, love, and hope through the power of children's
artwork, and is dedicated to the people of who died in the terrorist attacks.    Free 1'
x 1' fabric squares were provided to children in specialized programs
such as The Children's Initiative's after-school programs, Ronald
McDonald House, Children's Hospital, and Camp Pendleton Marine Corps
Base. As word of mouth spread, ARTS received contributions from
children in 13 different states.

ARTS partnered with Ground Hero Kids, Inc., an organization based in
Manhattan, New York, six blocks from Ground Zero. Started by a group
of Tribeca community residents shortly after September 11, a
renovated abandoned firehouse has become The Firehouse Community
Space, a cultural and community center for residents of lower
Manhattan. Sharing a similar vision with ARTS, they believe good
things can come from bad situations and that children play a crucial
role in the healing process. The Firehouse Community Space will open
its doors to the public on September 11, 2002, as a quiet gathering
space. The Children's Quilt will be on display in its entirety, some
6,000 feet.

The quilt will return to San Diego in the fall and be displayed at a
location to be determined. ARTS is continuing to look for ongoing
support to help make this memorable trip a reality. For information
contact:

Matt D'Arrigo
(760) 815 -2296
mdarrigo@artsurvive.org
www.artsurvive.org

Sharen Butrum
Ground Hero Kids, Inc
(212)577 - 2734
sbutrum@aol.com
www.groundherokids.org