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LEWISBORO, N.Y. Last October, the town of Lewisboro endured what is likely its most horrific and tragic event in recent memory when Sam Friedlander took the life of his wife, Amy, and their two children before committing suicide. Now, friends of Amy, Molly and Gregory Friedlander are hoping to create something positive out of the terrible incident, while at the same time helping people to heal.
The group, led by Friedlander family friends Jodi Solomon and Lisa Cohen, has created the Forever Molly and Gregory Fund website in conjunction with the Katonah Lewisboro Foundation, a charitable organization that will administer the fund.
Cohen said the goal of the Forever Fund is to help create a positive remembrance of a devoted mother and her beloved children. At the same time, it aims to provide a healing outlet for those who want to honor their memory by continuing to make a positive impact within the Katonah-Lewisboro community as Amy, Molly and Gregory did during their lives.
We hope that Amy, Molly and Gregory will be remembered as the uplifting and compassionate people that they were and for their generous contributions to the community, not the incomprehensible tragedy that occurred, said Cohen, who noted that the idea for the Fund came from Solomon.
She really wanted to do something to perpetuate their names, said Cohen, who met Amy Friedlander when their sons attended summer camp together several years ago. Both the boys and the moms became fast friends.
While organizers hope that people will go to the site www.mollyandgregory.org and make a contribution, they notes that there is another aspect to it.
Yes, we would like people to make donations, but there are also the guestbook pages, she said. We would like for people to make comments there as an ongoing tribute. Its a living tribute. We hope theyll be remembered for who they were not the terrible tragedy.
In a statement released by the Funds organizers, Amy Friedlander was described as a warm, caring friend and a devoted mother who would do anything for her children. She had recently begun a career as a tutor for John Jay Prep, a company she co-founded, and was well respected in her field and adored by her students. Molly, age 10, is remembered as a caring and delightful young woman, a good student who possessed natural artistic talent. Gregory, who was two years younger, was a strong student and athlete who epitomized good sportsmanship and showed kindness towards his teammates, classmates and his many friends.
Cohen said the Fund will support the pursuits closest to Amy, Molly and Gregory's hearts in the areas of academic, athletic and artistic achievement. Grants will be awarded within the Katonah-Lewisboro community to support programs or purchase equipment, supplies and services that will enrich the lives of Mollys and Gregory's classmates and teammates.
First we have to assess the needs of the community, Cohen said. The donations will go toward something the school district cant provide and will enrich the lives of Molly and Gregorys peers. Donations can be made by going to www.mollyandgregory.org or by sending checks made out to the KL Foundation. Note that the money is for the Molly and Gregory Fund on the check and mail it to the KL Foundation, c/o Rich Rosenberg, 75 Quicks Lane, Katonah, NY 10536
Donors will receive a receipt and acknowledgment letter from The Katonah Lewisboro Foundation. The Forever Fund will release its grant proposal schedule in the first quarter of 2012. Donors will be recognized on the website.
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