Impacted by loss on Sept. 11th and the way the world responded on Sept 12th Jeff wanted to find a way to say Thank You and pay it forward. Spreading Hope and Healing has become a way of life. Listen to Jeff share his journey to heal and how one idea lead to another...and another. The Stars of Hope have touched lives around the world. Love is Always Stronger Than Hate.

Jeff Parness serves as Executive Director and Board Member
of New York Says Thank You Foundation. Over 600,000
people of all ages have volunteered in NYSTY’s various programs
including its signature 9/11 Anniversary “barn-raising” program;
historic 50-state restoration of The National 9/11 Flag;
Hurricane Sandy First Responder Rebuilding Fund; 9/12 Generation citizenship education initiative; Build for LIFE rebuilding program for cancer victims in disaster areas; and its growing Stars of HOPE therapeutic community arts program which has accelerated the healing process of tens of millions of disaster survivors in 187 communities in 26 countries. Jeff also co-founded CJ’s Bus Foundation which provided emergency child care services for children in the
immediate aftermath of disasters, and Tony’s Room Foundation
which built “clean-rooms” for kids with Leukemia.

A former technology corporate finance professional and venture capitalist, Jeff helped to raise over $150 Million for every stage company in all market cycles. Jeff is a graduate of the University of Michigan and served in The White House Office of Public Liaison for Defense and Foreign Policy under President Reagan.

Jeff has received numerous awards for his public service with New York Says Thank You Foundation including The Melvin Jones Fellow for Humanitarian Service from Lions Club International Foundation, The New York Post Liberty Medal Ambassador Award, The Champion of the Community Award from The New York Mets, the 1010WINS Tomorrow’s Newsmakers Award for Public Service, The Daughters of American Revolution Founder’s Medal for Patriotism, and National Independent Flag Dealers Association George Washington Award. Jeff was also a CNN Hero in 2011.

Jeff lives in New York City with his wife Sandra Hauser, an attorney at DENTONS, and his two sons Evan and Josh who were the inspiration behind the creation of New York Says Thank You Foundation.