Like many other Americans on 9-11-01, I felt helpless and stunned as I watched the twin towers fall. I knew I had to do something but I wanted to do something that would last longer than money. I knew I couldn’t do anything for those who had died, so, two days later I decided to make rocking chairs for the New York City and Pentagon survivors.
The laser-engraved chairs serve as a memorial to those who died and a comfort to the survivors. I wanted the chairs to be used and not just on display. I couldn’t be happier with FDNY Commissioner Thomas Von Essen’s decision to place their chair in the Cornell Burn Center of the New York City Hospital. Families of burn victims will be able to use the chair for years to come.
I was told the Pentagon memorial rocking chair has been placed in the Pentagon’s Memorial Musuem and that visitors will be able to use the chair as they pay tribute to those who died on 9-11-01.
I was told the Pentagon memorial rocking chair has been placed in the Pentagon’s Memorial Musuem and that visitors will be able to use the chair as they pay tribute to those who died on 9-11-01.
Since 2006, he has donated chairs, Shaker boxes, spoke shaves and other wooden items to President and Mrs. Carter’s annual fund raising auction to raise money for the Carter Center’s highly successful world health endeavors.
Each summer, Russ teaches Shaker box and chair making to the 85 boys at the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch near Springfield, MO. These boys ranging in age from 11 to 17 are in trouble and have serious behavior problems. Russ believes that teaching the boys how to make useful things for themselves and others will enable them to change the course of their lives. At the age of 14, Russ was the 9th boy to be brought to the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch when it was founded in 1959.