FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sep 11, 2012

Thousands of Americans unite in effort to improve communities nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Corporation for National and Community Service today announced that hundreds of thousands of Americans are participating in service activities to commemorate the 9/11 anniversary on the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance, paying tribute to and honoring the victims and heroes of that day.

The projects associated with the National Day of Service and Remembrance include building affordable housing for veterans and military families, educating citizens on disaster preparedness and organizing food drives. Thousands of service events are taking place in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

CNCS partners with MyGoodDeed, the nonprofit that began the 9/11 Day observance 10 years ago, and hundreds of other nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, and schools and businesses nationwide.

Wendy Spencer, CEO of CNCS, volunteered at a service project funded with a CNCS grant in Seat Pleasant, Maryland. Military veterans led volunteers at the event, organized by MyGoodDeed and The Mission Continues. They helped revitalize an apartment complex that offers supportive services and resources to economically disadvantaged individuals and families who seek a path to economic opportunity.

“In the aftermath of September 11th, we came together as a country to show that we are there for each other,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of CNCS. “Service can be a healing experience, and I am honored today to work alongside so many dedicated individuals, including veterans who served our country so proudly. Through volunteering, we can make a difference in the lives of families and transform communities on the National Day of Service and Remembrance and every day.”

Below is a sampling of service projects that are taking place on September 11 or took place last weekend.

  • California: Volunteers tended the orchards at Full Circle Farm, an organic educational farm that produces fresh food for the Santa Clara United School District. This event took place on September 9.
  • Illinois:On September 11, Volunteers from MyGoodDeed will work at Volunteers of America Illinois' Hope Manor, a transitional housing center for veterans that also maintains a food and clothing bank for its residents. Tuesday, 250 volunteers led by The Mission Continues will help organize under-utilized resources by installing permanent shelving, sorting and packing donations, and creating welcome kits for new residents.
  • Kansas: In Topeka, Harvesters – the Community Food Network will engage volunteers to sort and repackage donated food on September 11. In Wichita, volunteers will spend September 11 cleaning a recently acquired old church that will be turned into a homeless shelter run by the Inter-Faith Ministry.
  • Kentucky: Throughout the weekend, the Ft. Campbell Soldier Family Assistance Center had volunteers plant and create a therapeutic garden for Wounded Warriors.
  • Missouri: Volunteers from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin traveled to Minot, ND to assist with the rebuilding of flood-damaged homes.
  • Oregon: On September 11, Friends of Tryon Creek State Park will lead volunteers in conservation efforts for the park.
  • Pennsylvania: HOPE worldwide hosted a public safety event in Pittsburgh in conjunction with the Allegheny County Emergency Services, Juvenile Firesetters Intervention Team, HOPE worldwide, Allegheny County Council, and the Allegheny County Airport Authority on September 8.
  • Utah: On September 13, nine service sites around South Salt Lake, will host more than 500 volunteers that will read with youth, restore historic buildings, stage a career fair, and revitalize parks and public places.
  • Vermont: On September 9, the Southwest Freedom Riders staged a commemorative ceremony to benefit Mt. Sinai Hospital's “Health for Heroes” program.
  • Washington: On September 11, volunteers from Pat Tillman Foundation will repair a home for a veteran in Tacoma and host a community remembrance event.
  • Wyoming: On September 8, Habitat for Humanity of Laramie organized approximately 200 community volunteers, including local military members and area youth, to join weatherize a block of homes for low-income, disabled and elderly residents.

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AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.