Submitted by rfrazier on
Oct 07, 2022 AmeriCorps Staff

Across the nation thousands of Americans united in service to honor the heroes and those we lost on the anniversary of September 11. Through service projects and remembrance activities volunteers rekindled the spirit of unity and service that swept our nation after that tragic day.  

AmeriCorps members, staff and volunteers showed up in force to partner with organizations around the country. From neighborhood clean ups, assembling care packages, to food drives, people set aside differences to help one another.  

In Baltimore, Maryland, AmeriCorps members serving with Civic Works joined staff and volunteers from Christian Disciples Church to beautify a vacant lot in the Mount Clare neighborhood. Together, they cleaned brush and debris, planted trees and shrubs, and created a trail and garden beds.   

Jayna, the Civic Works director of volunteerism and events joined the service project.
AmeriCorps members and volunteers beatify an vacant lot.

AmeriCorps members and volunteers beatify an vacant lot.

Jayna, the Civic Works director of volunteerism and events joined the service project. She and her church, Christian Disciples, have served every year for the last 20 years on this day in memory of Elizabeth Wainio, who was on Flight 93. Elizabeth’s mother, Esther, said the response to her daughter’s death should be service. Pictured above on the shirt is a quote from Esther. 

“What these people are doing is what we all should be doing in response to my daughter's death and the deaths of thousands on September 11. Please tell them for me, ‘thank you’.. I do not want revenge...I want peace." -Esther Heymann 

 Watch Civic Works Director of Volunteerism and Events Jayna shares a powerful message.  

In another partnership, AmeriCorps members serving with Global Youth Justice coordinated the 2nd annual 9/11 Day Flag of Honor Across America Memorial. Volunteers distributed flags with the names of those we lost. Memorials were held in 75 Communities, each uniting in memory of 65 different heroes, and responders, and those who lost their lives that tragic day. 

2nd annual 9/11 Day Flag of Honor Across America Memorial.
2nd annual 9/11 Day Flag of Honor Across America Memorial. 

In Perry, Ohio Americorps members serving with PHS Service Learning partnered with the American Legion to remove tattered flags from the graves of 1000 veterans. They also conducted community cleanups, hosted breakfast for veterans, gardening, and supported a fall festival to honor the day of service.   

PHS Service Learning Service Project.
PHS Service Learning Service Project
AmeriCorps leaders clean headstones at Alexandria National Cemetery.
AmeriCorps leaders clean headstones at Alexandria National Cemetery. 

AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith joined 911Day and Serve DC at the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, DC for their annual meal pack event. 

“When the going gets tough, America gets tougher. And we figure out how to help our neighbors,” said Michael in the day’s opening remarks.