The Brooke Jackman Foundation is a force for inspiring the love of reading in children. The foundation honors the memory of Brooke Jackman. Reading was one of her favorite pastimes, and on September 10, 2001, Jackman told her mother she planned to get her M.S.W. at Berkeley’s School of Social Work as she saw her path was to help disadvantaged children. On September 11, she would arrive at Cantor Fitzgerald at 1 World Trade Center for work. She was only 23 with so much to give the world. The Brooke Jackman Foundation was started to fulfill its namesake’s goals.
The Annual Brooke Jackman Read-a-thon is held on the Saturday before 9/11 to bring children and families together and spread Brooke’s love for reading. This year the event was held on September 10 at Barnes and Noble’s Tribeca location.
Families from the Williamsburg Houses and the surrounding area were brought to the event with help from St. Nicks Alliance. Paulette ONeal (founder of Salvation Dance Co.), Carla Gibbs, and Theresa Womble (Williamsburg Houses Residents Association and St. Nicks Alliance Board) organized the families who went to the event.
A 6-year-old boy who ONeal privately tutors three times a week attended. ONeal said that it is usually challenging to keep him still and focused while working with him. “However, at the Read-a-thon he sat for the longest time and [even] went up to the stage to read. I was floored!!! Huge breakthrough!” ONeal went on to say, “Not only did the children and families get to enjoy a great Read-a-thon: meeting amazing people and Broadway actors, but they were able to share in the memories Erin her family have for a most beloved sister Brooke.”
The Greenline 