Out of 9/11 Tragedy, Bill Sugra Memorial Fund Gives Hope

Less than a year after he moved to New York from Salisbury Township, was among the 658 employees of the Cantor Fitzgerald brokerage firm who died in the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

But out of this tragedy, hope has been given to others. His parents, Bill and El Sugra of Salisbury, established the to honor his memory and his compassion for others by helping those in need. Over the last 10 years, the fund has given more than $250,000 to individuals and non-profits organizations that assist the needy and disadvantaged, regardless of race, religion or gender.  

Among the recipients, Mercy Special Learning Center in Allentown, a Catholic school that helps children and adults with special needs, has received almost $5,000 from the fund since 2005.

“The money has gone for tuition assistance and our technology program,” said Principal Bridget Muehlenkamp.

“All our students are intellectually and developmentally delayed,” said Muehlenkamp, who has been with the school for 36 years. Some students require devices to allow them to talk and communicate, such as mechanical talkers and switches.

Purchased with money from the Sugra fund, these tools enable students to communicate in the classroom and help them learn skills such as cooking.

“We are able to buy computer software and programs that help the children communicate with their peers and their families,” said Muehlenkamp. These tools help them develop to the best of their ability by building up their self-esteem and confidence, she added.

The center was also able to buy several iPads and accessories to help students with their individual instructional plans.

Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1954 and now part of the Diocese of Allentown, the center is a private, non-residential school for children and young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the Lehigh Valley.

The center serves 14 surrounding school districts and currently has approximately 100 students ages 2 through 21. Students receive classroom instruction, art, music therapy, adaptive physical education and religious instruction. They also get speech, physical and occupational therapy through Intermediate Unit 21.

“We are an alternative to the public school system,” said Muehlenkamp. “People find out about us through our website or word-of-mouth. When they have a need they come looking for us.”

For more information, contact sugramemorial@cs.com or visit www.billsugramemorialfund.org. If you would like to send a contribution, please send it The Bill Sugra Memorial Fund, c/o St. Thomas More Church, 1040 Flexer Ave., Allentown, PA  18103.