World Trade Center photo from Decanter, Sept. 17, 2001.

Among the horrible toll of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, 79 employees of the Windows on the World restaurant are missing. The much-loved restaurants occupied the north tower's 106th and 107th floors, above the point where the highjacked aircraft crashed into the building. Many more food-service workers throughout the building were also lost.

Michael Skurnik Wines, a respected wine importing firm long associated with Windows on the World, was instrumental in setting up a "Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund" for the families of these workers. David Emil, owner of Windows on the World; the restaurant's executive chef Michael Lomonaco; Tom Valenti, the chef and owner of Ouest Restaurant, and Waldy Malouf, Chef/Owner of Beacon Restaurant, established the fund to be administered by J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and David Berdon & Co. LLP. It has been established as a 501(c)3 charitable fund. For more information see http://windowsofhope.org.

The firm's Harmon Skurnik says, "All donations are tax-deductible, and all funds collected will be turned over to David Emil of Windows on the World for distribution directly to the families. Not a penny will go toward anything else. Remember, many of these families are without fathers and mothers now."

ANOTHER WAY TO HELP: On Thursday, Oct. 11, more than 1,500 restaurants and food establishments throughout the world will donate at least 10 percent of their evening’s sales to the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund. This fund provides immediate emergency aid as well as future scholarships and funds for all families in the food-service profession whose loved ones perished in the World Trade Center disaster. You can help by dining out at any of the participating restaurants in your area. Make your reservations now as this will be a huge effort and seats are being reserved quickly. For a frequently updated list of participating restaurants, please see http://windowsofhope.org/pages/restaurants.html. Restaurateurs and food-service professionals who would like to participate should click to http://windowsofhope.org/pages/call.html.

Contributions may be made by credit card on a secure server at http://www.wohfamilyrelieffund.vista.com/ or by your personal check to "Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund," mailed directly to:

Michael Skurnik Wines
575 Underhill Blvd., Suite 216
Syosset, N.Y. 11791
ATT: Lisa Brophy

Thanks for your support in this important cause; while the recent tragedy took thousands of victims, we thought it seemed appropriate for the wine, food and restaurant communities to take an extra step for these survivors - many of whom are children.

If you have any additional comments or questions, please feel free to contact Robin Garr at WineLoversPage.com or Harmon Skurnik at Michael Skurnik Wines.