Remembering Lara

On May 20th, there was a one year gathering of remembrance at Lara's  
tree; it was in full leaf and the weather was perfect.  For many, it  
was their first opportunity to visit the park and see the tree.   
Friends and family wrote memories, wishes, and messages to Lara on  
slips of paper and then tied them to the tree.   Thanks to everyone  
involved for making the day memorable. 

Ben 

Tree and Plaque Are In Place!

Dear Friends,

After much delay (first, a mix-up with tree allotment, and then  
several weeks of some kind of repair or maintenance during which all  
the trees had their surrounding bases removed), I can report that  
Lara's tree at Race Street Pier Park has been designated, and the  
memorial plaque is now in place.  In the row of trees, Lara's is the  
next to last tree you encounter as you head out onto the pier and away  
from the shore.

A big thank you once again to everyone who helped make this memorial  
happen.  It means a lot to me, as I'm sure it does to Lara's many  
friends and family.

-Ben

Wow

Dear Friends-

In only 30 hours, we reached the goal needed to dedicate the tree for Lara.  Thank you, thank you, to all involved!

Race Street Pier. Photo by Mike Geno.

I was able to visit the Race St Pier park today (while it was briefly sunny) and it is amazing.  It's even more impressive and beautiful than I had hoped.  The views of the bridge and the river are wonderful, and the park has a friendly and peaceful feel to it.

There will be a plaque with Lara's name placed at the base of her tree.  This just seems so perfect a memorial... it makes me happy knowing Lara is being remembered this way.

Thanks again to you all-

Ben

 

Memorial White Oak Trees. Photo by Mike Geno

Race Street Pier. Photo by Mike Geno.

 

Success!

Thanks to the out pouring of love and support from Lara's family and friends, we have reached our financial goal within 30 hours of announcing the project! We will post a picture of Lara's tree and plaque as soon as possible.

For anyone who wishes to make a financial contribution in memory of Lara, Ben has asked that you consider making a donation to the DJ AM Memorial Fund, a foundation that Lara was instrumental in establishing to keep her brother's legacy alive and support his passion of helping others who battle with substance abuse and addiction.

Thank you--David April

A Tree For Lara

Dear Family and Friends of Lara,

Last week the City of Philadelphia unveiled a new park on the Delaware River called the Race Street Pier. Located below the Ben Franklin Bridge, the Race Street Pier is a beautiful green landscape surrounded on three sides by water. Connecting the city with the waterfront, the park is a gathering place for people to enjoy nature, the river and the city.

Race Street Pier. Photo by Becky Sweger

Lara loved Philadelphia and was active in the fight to keep the city's waterfront accessible to all through her work with the Philadelphia Neighborhood Alliance (which grew out of the anti-casino movement).

Lara's vibrant spirit will be permanently memorized with a majestic white swamp oak tree.  There are 37 trees on the pier which were surplus grown for the 9-11 memorial in New York. The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation chose to go with the larger trees to give the park a more finished and established.

A Tree For Lara is a  project to raise the funds necessary to have a tree dedicated to Lara. The goal is $2,500. If you wish to make a contribution please do so via PayPal or by check. Checks should be made out to David April, 2346 E. Susquehanna Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125. 

Funds received exceeding the goal will be donated to the DJ AM Memorial Fund, a foundation that Lara was instrumental in establishing to keep her brother's legacy alive and support his passion of helping others who battle with substance abuse and addiction.

Thank you--David April

Race Street Pier. Photo by Becky Sweger

Race Street Pier. Photo by Becky Sweger