Scott Hazelcorn

Who was Scott Hazelcorn?

Scott Hazelcorn ('Haze'), was born in Brooklyn, New York on Aug. 14, 1972, and was raised in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. After graduating from Penn State University in 1994, Scott joined Cantor Fitzgerald at One World Trade Center, and, as usual, was there early on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, when the first plane hit the North Tower.

Scott possessed an unusual ability to show love and compassion not only to his friends and family, but also to those he hardly knew. His unique spirit for life and laughter was infectious, and touched everyone with whom he came in contact. When Scott spoke to someone, be it a child or adult, he made that person feel like they were the only person in the world, and he never let a day go by without telling those he loved how much they meant to him. Scott never shook hands; he hugged people, regardless of their age or station in life.

Scott lived by certain mottos:

•Always lend a listening ear to a friend their problems are greater than your own.

•One's life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others by means of love, friendship and compassion.

•We have no right to consume happiness without producing it.

•You will do foolish things but do them with enthusiasm.

Children particularly loved being with Scott, because he took them seriously and made the world fun, through his skill with imaginative and joyful play. He had a very simple view about children: "Talk and play with every child you see - they have so much to teach us."

Scott often talked about incorporating children into his life plan, both personally and professionally, and was considering a career change into the field of teaching when he was so tragically killed. He used to dream about owning and operating an ice-cream truck, so he could bring pleasure to children of all ages. Scott also dreamt of creating a camp that would provide children from different socio-economic backgrounds the opportunity for fun and friendship. After Scott was lost, his family and friends joined together to make this dream a reality, by creating the Scott Hazelcorn Children's Foundation. Its mission, to provide help to all children in need, and special emphasis on children who lost a loved one on 9/11/01, led to the creation of Camp Haze.

For the past three summers, Scott's dream has come true. Camp Haze has hosted an average of 55 children each year with 75 children this past year for a one week all expense paid camp experience. Camp Haze provided these children the opportunity for respite from their problems, by encouraging them to play, laugh, share and yes, sometimes, cry together. For these children, counselors, staff and all of the many volunteers, this was an experience not likely to ever be forgotten. Scott's legacy remains the joy he continues to bring to children, through the Foundation that now bears his name.