Dear Family of IFW:
Our hearts are heavy with the tragic deaths of Lueth Mo and Dhal Apet, the two Heninger High School students. The story is all over the news, and an investigation is underway to uncover what really happened. The boys were Americans, born here a few years after their parents arrived from Sudan as refugees fleeing the war that ravaged their country. Both families live in Syracuse, and these children were being raised by hard working parents. One of their teachers is a man from my church, and he knew Lueth and Dhal, and described them this past Sunday as “sweet kids.”
I am not writing you to take a side in this case. Our agency has refused several requests to comment in the press, as we do not think this story should be tried in the media. Time is needed to sort out what really happened, and to make plans for what should happen once the whole truth is known.
But what is needed right now is support for two grieving families, so that their children can have a proper burial and a funeral service that is in their faith tradition. The boys were raised as Episcopalian and Catholic, and the service will be at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church on at 342 Vine Street, 13203, just south of our offices, this coming Saturday, September 16th. Viewing hours will be from 9 – 9:45, and then the service will start at 10 a.m. Following the service, the burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, and then people will come back to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on James Street for a luncheon at 12:30.
I am writing to ask for your help and support. The funerals will cost $21,000 which must be paid upfront. The family has no way to do this. Can you help? If so, please click on the link below to donate. The money will be used for the funeral home services, the burial plots, and the luncheon for the day of the funeral. Also, in Sudanese tradition, the family will be hosting many guests for the next 40 days, so we would like to help supply light foods and drinks as we can.
You can help by providing a cash gift, all of which will go to the funeral home, cemetery, and the families for expenses.
You can also help by preparing a large dish of food for the funeral luncheon, by donating racks of water, soft drinks, juices, fruits, cookies, and other things that will be kept at their homes for the days after the funeral. You may bring the food directly to the luncheon on Saturday at 12:30.
You can help by providing a cash gift, all of which will go to the funeral home, cemetery, and the families for expenses.
You can also help by preparing a large dish of food for the funeral luncheon, by donating racks of water, soft drinks, juices, fruits, cookies, and other things that will be kept at their homes for the days after the funeral. You may bring the food directly to the luncheon on Saturday at 12:30.
Many thanks for anything you can do to help.
With appreciation,
Beth