Hello, my name is Harlan. I had the privilege of knowing and working with Mateo for years. He would light up with every story he told, and every child who heard him would light up too. He truly got to embrace the special gift he was given on this earth, and if you were fortunate enough to witness it, you witnessed magic.

This summer marks the year anniversary of his passing. On behalf of Lizzy and his entire family, I am organizing a fundraiser to purchase a bench in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, to honor him. It will be a place where everyone of you, his family and friends and students, can visit his bench, spend time with him, and perhaps hear one of his magical stories if you listen closely.

The park holds a special significance for Mateo and Lizzy, so it seems only fitting that it continues to be special.

The park is a beautiful place that he spent with all his lovely friends - everyone who meant the world to him.

The park is a place we all can visit.

A bench costs $5500, and we will also need to purchase a plaque. Please give what you can. My hope is that we can all come together to honor a loved one, a storyteller, a teacher, a curious cat, a kind heart.

Please join me in memorializing such a sweet soul, giving him a home here in New York, and providing all of us a place to visit.

This summer, we will have a dedication ceremony and finally, a memorial service in New York that he so aptly deserves.

Thank you.