Photographers Donate Prints To Benefit 9/11 Victims

A group of industry professionals in New York City has organized a photo auction to benefit the "United Way's September 11 Fund" and The New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund. The silent auction will be held on October 26 at Drive-In Studios at 443, West 18th Street in New York.

Organizer Shauna Simmons from 2d Photo Production says, "Every photographer we've asked, at this point, no one has said `no.'"

Patrons decide which of the two funds they'd like to donate to, and write the check directly to the fund, she adds.

Simmons is joined in her effort by Lisa Ilario and Alex Yetter of 2d, photographer Dana Gallagher, Esquire's Nancy Iacoi and Catriona Ni Aolain, filmmaker Joia Speciale and Katie Dyer from The Drawing Center. Since the attack, the group sent out letters to photographers asking for donations. Contributing photographers so far include Ethan Hill, Dan Winters, Jeff Riedel, Peggy Sirota, Jake Chessum, Bruce Gilden, Inge Morath, Platon and Katie Murray. Drive-In Studios waived the rental fee, someone offered to give food and drink, and 2d Photo Production will pick up the costs of exhibiting the images.

Simmons says: "It's a way to be involved, it's important to be doing something, it's important not to be alone. People want to help, but they don't know how. This is something they feel comfortable about, this is what they do."