9/11 Responders Remembered Receives Nonprofit Status

The 9/11 Responders Remembered organization has received nonprofit designation from the IRS, allowing work on a memorial park in Nesconset to move forward.

The organization received help from Rep. Tim Bishop, D-Southampton, and Legis. John Kennedy Jr., R-Nesconset, who together petitioned the IRS to approve an expedited application for nonprofit status to make their plans a reality.

The 9/11 Responders Remembered organization needed to obtain a 501(c)3 status to receive land from the Town of Smithtown, for which plans are in place to build a memorial park. Under law, the Town of Smithtown can only deed property for parks to certified nonprofit entities. Now that the organization has received nonprofit status, Smithtown Town officials have agreed to sell the property to them for a nominal fee of $1.

"After 10 years of putting our hearts and souls into honoring the heroic responders of 9/11, the 9/11 Responders Remembered Park will become a reality," said James Ryder, a member of the park's board, in a statement. "We truly appreciate Congressman Bishop's efforts with the IRS and his passion and dedication on behalf of the 9/11 responders."

The organization hopes to begin construction on a 9/11 Responders Remembered Park on the northeast corner of Gibbs Pond Road and Smithtown Boulevard in Nesconset. The memorial will feature a "livable' wall memorializing the names of all first responders who have died illnesses linked to their time working at Ground Zero. The plans also include a 20-foot tall clock and a sitting area for visitors.

The 9/11 Responders Remembered organization plans to have the memorial completed by the 10th anniversary of the attacks this fall. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 10 at 10:30 a.m.