By Rich Harbert Old Colony Memorial
PLYMOUTH, MA – Nearly 13 years have passed since Jennifer Kane died in the attacks on the World Trade Center, but her spirit lives on through the generosity of family, friends and complete strangers.
More than $1.1 million has been raised in memory of the West Plymouth native since September 11, 2001. It has all been distributed to causes close to the young woman’s heart.
Kane was only 26 and just starting her career as a certified public accountant at Marsh McLellan [sic – McLennan], working on the 100th floor of the north tower, when the terrorists attacked.
For many years, family and friend gathered every summer to raise money for the fund remembering her at a golf tournament. For the last three years, the Jennifer Kane Scholarship and Charitable Trust has carried on the work quietly, supporting patriotic and charitable causes in Jen’s memory.
This year, the fund will assist two familiar causes (Homes For Our Troops and the Make-A-Wish Foundation) and two new causes (Headstart and My Brother’s Keeper).
Homes For Our Trooper is a nonprofit organization that provides specially adapted homes at no cost to severely wounded military members.
The Jennifer Kane fund has helped fund the construction of homes for seven wounded servicemen since 2007. This year’s donation will help fund the construction of a home for Staff Sgt. Matthew DeWitt, who suffered catastrophic injuries when his weapon was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength and joy. Since 2003, the fund has granted 25 wishes for children.
This year’s donations will also establish the Jennifer Kane STEM Learning Center for Children, a Headstart Program administered by the South Shore Community Action Council.
The center will update the program’s science, technology, engineering and math program for pre-K children.
Proceeds will also be donated to My Brother’s Keeper, a Christian organization that delivers furniture, food and Christmas gifts to families in need. Anyone living in the organization’s Southeastern Massachusetts service area is eligible to receive help.
Donations to the Jennifer Kane Scholarship and Charitable Trust can be made online at www.jenniferlynnkane.com or by check payable to the Jennifer Kane Fund. Checks should be mailed to 5 Lee Drive, Plymouth, MA 02360. An Employer ID# is available if requested.
Visit www.jenniferlynnkane.com or call the family at 508-746-5068 for details.
