Community Partners Join Forces in "Before I Die" Wall Project 9/11 through 10/17

“Before I Die” is a global art project that invites people to reflect on their lives and share their personal aspirations in a public space. Humbly launched in 2011 by an artist from New Orleans, Candy Chang, the program has spread to 70 countries, in 34 languages on over 500 “walls”…..crossing all political, ethnic, religious and geographical boundaries. 

The program will be kicked off on Thursday, September 11 at Noon at the Courthouse Square in Delhi and is tied in with the anniversary of 9/11 as part of the National Day of Service and Remembrance. “The program allows people to share their feelings, ambitions, dreams and goals in a very public, yet anonymous way,” said Sally Kauffman, a resident of East Branch, who is joining the team on the 11^th for the kickoff. “We hope that the community will join us on the 11^th at noon to launch this community-based program focused on bringing people and their thoughts together in a creative and inspirational way,” she added.

The Before I Die boards will be up in the Square from September 11^th through October 17^th.  Boards have been posted worldwide from Russia, China, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Australia, and Japan to North and South America.  “The three boards in the Delhi Square are really shared spaces where people of all ages can write their views on the meaning of life, opportunities yet to be achieved, express sadness, joy, forgiveness…even shame…the range of emotions will match the number of people that will share their aspirations with everyone who views them,” emphasized Becky Townsend from Walton.

Come by Courthouse Square, Pickup a Piece of Chalk & Share With Us. It Will Feel Great To Do So!

“We simply ask that people treat these 3 spaces with dignity, respect and care---they are, after all, everyone’s spaces and thoughts to share,” said Renee Maxwell of Delhi.   A number of Delaware County organizations have come together to support this program, including: Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, The Arc of Delaware County, the Delaware County Office of the Aging,  the First Presbyterian Church of Delhi, the Delaware County Veterans Service Agency, SUNY Delhi,  Delaware Academy Central School District at Delhi and the Delaware County Maintenance Department.     “In fact, last year SUNY Delhi students had a Before I Die program on campus.  It was a great success and we’re glad it has moved to a more community based location,” noted Elizabeth Sova, SUNY’s Director of the O’Connor Center for Community Engagement. “We encourage everyone to come by the Square on the 11^th, or any day until October 17^th to pick up a piece of chalk and share their thoughts and dreams,” she added.   Visit the website: http://beforeidie.cc/ . “Like” us on Facebook: BeforeIDieDelhi,NY .

 Photo caption:   Come by Delhi’s Courthouse Square starting at Noon on September 11^th  to share your thoughts and feelings on one of the 3 “Before I Die” boards…it will feel great to do so!