WHAT: Thousands of Americans have opened their hearts and wallets with $525,000 to benefit victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, tragedies in New York City and Washington, D.C. Shortly after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Virginia business leaders established the September 11th Victims' Relief Fund (www.september11.org) to provide an outlet to assist victims. Funds will go to long-term victim needs that likely will entail scholarships and other forms of assistance for victims' families. All fund efforts are volunteered, and there is no paid staff.

To commemorate the fund's half million dollars milestone, The Fraternal Order of Knights of Pythias (www.pythias.org), an international fraternity founded in 1864 with more than 2,000 member lodges in North America, will present a $20,000 donation to the fund in a brief ceremony. Letters and artwork sent in by other contributors also will be on display.

WHO: Keith West, president, eGO Inc., is president of the fund. Steve Piascik, a local CPA, is treasurer. The fund's board of directors includes:

-Delegate Sam Nixon, Virginia House of Delegates

-Bob Stolle, director, Greater Richmond Technology Council

-Paula Gulak, principal, Sycom Technologies

-John Crews, business operation director, Applied Materials

-Anne Marie McHugh, president, Junior Achievement Central Virginia

-Andrew White, partner, LeClair Ryan Law Firm

-Steve Piascik, a local CPA

-Madge Bush, public relations, Capital One

-Bill Pond, president, 3rd Millennium Group

-Don Just, president, Work Inc.

-Mark Raper, president, Carter Ryley Thomas PR & Marketing

-John Whitlock, founder, The Whitlock Group

-Kelly O'Keefe, CEO, Emergence

WHEN: 2 p.m., Thursday, March 21

WHERE: St. John's Parish Hall, 2401 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23223

September 11th Victims' Relief Fund

September 11th Victims' Relief Fund

More from September 11th Victims' Relief Fund