This is the original email that I sent October 15, 2001:

Dear family, friends and colleagues:

I am trying to make sense of the world and the magnitude of the events that took place on September 11th.

In the weeks since the tragedy I have struggled to find a way to come to terms with, and understand the enormity of the loss of life that occurred on that day.

My response as a visual artist is to make art. That is how I attempt to sort out these larger than life things in this world.

I have designed a woven textile art work that would use buttons to represent the numbers of human life lost on September 11th.

I am writing to ask for your help with this art work. I am looking for small white or black buttons no larger than 1/2". Preferably, simple buttons that would go on clothing such as oxford shirts, and blouses.

Old buttons from clothing are just fine, in fact they are better. I can even cut them off the shirts if you would rather just send me the clothing. I truly appreciate your help in this work. It does seem rather daunting to collect over 6,000 buttons. But I know with your help, I will succeed.

Please pass this letter along to any people in your life that you think might be interested in helping.

Send all buttons to me at my address found on this letterhead, or write to me at weaver@nh.ultranet.com. In the near future, I will post my progress on this project on my website at www.sarahhaskell.com.

Many many thanks for your efforts.
May you find peace in this moment ~~~ Sarah