June 2019

Dear Friends,

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          Last month, The Christophers held our 70th annual Christopher Awards ceremony, where

we honored books, film, and television that affirm the highest values of the human spirit. Our

Leadership Award went to Frank Siller for his dedication to helping disabled veterans, first responders,

and Gold Star families through the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which he and his

siblings started to honor the memory of their brother Stephen, a NYC Firefighter who gave his life to

save others during 9/11. God bless the Siller family for their commitment to bring good into the world in the face of tragedy, and

we are so grateful to Frank Siller for his inspiring words upon receiving the award.

          There were so many amazing stories surrounding our winners this year, such as our children’s book winner Rescue and Jessica, written by Jessica Kensky and inspired by her experiences as a double amputee who forms a bond with a service dog in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing.

          We also had an amazing crowd this year and are especially appreciative of the presence of those who were recipients of our awards, such as historian David W. Blight, who we honored for his book Frederick Douglas: Prophet of Freedom in the same month that he also won a Pulitzer Prize.

          On June 24, we celebrate the Feast of Saint John the Baptist, who had such a deep connection to Christ throughout his lifetime. His words paved the way for Christ’s light to enter the world and to reach those in need of hearing a message of hope. The Christophers pray that Saint John the Baptist intercede for all Christians today, that we have the courage to proclaim the fullness of Christ’s message to a world that is at times so in need of rediscovering the love of God.

          We are so grateful to our donors and for the kind notes we receive throughout the year. God bless to everyone!  

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Joyfully,

Mary Ellen Robinson

Vice President/COO

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