Americans Embody Spirit of Service in Honor of September 11

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This 9/11 Day, tens of thousands of Americans will unite with a common purpose to volunteer as part of the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance.  Led by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the nationwide efforts pay tribute to and honors the victims and heroes of that day.

Capturing that same spirit of service following 9/11, citizens across the country are dedicating this year’s day of service to helping devastated communities recover from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. In addition, volunteers of all ages and backgrounds in both rural and urban communities will deliver meals, repair homes of veterans and military families, refurbish schools and community centers, prepare care boxes for the military and first responders, collect food and clothing, sign up as mentors, read to children, and more.

“In the days following September 11, Americans came together to show that we are there for each other,” said Kim Mansaray, acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “This year, we see this same spirit of service in the extraordinary acts of neighbor helping neighbor and stranger helping stranger in communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey. I am proud that so many Americans choose to dedicate this day to give back in honor of the victims and heroes of September 11. This is America at its best.”

September 11th was designated a national day of service by Congress in 2009. CNCS partners with 911Day.org, the nonprofit that began the 9/11 Day observance, and hundreds of businesses, nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, and schools nationwide to observe the day as a national day of unity. Other key partners for 2017 include American Legion Auxiliary, My Good Deed, Points of Light, and Youth Service America. Below are a few of the service projects taking place this 9/11 Day weekend:

• Boston: AmeriCorps VISTA members and volunteers will create military care packages to honor troops and military families.
   
• Concord, N.C.: Through Youth Service America, students at Rock River Elementary will prepare care packages for soldiers, as well as conduct a food drive. Military parents will read to students and talk about their experiences in the military and the impacts of 9/11.
   
• Great Bend, Kan.: Senior Corps volunteers serving with RSVP of Central Kansas will deliver emergency food packs to those who receive home-delivered meals through Meals on Wheels.
   
• Hot Springs, Ark.: The Area on Aging of West Central Arkansas Senior Corps volunteers will deliver thank you packages and cards to emergency personnel in the service area.
   
• New York: AmeriCorps members, veterans, and other volunteers will join 9/11 Day (My Good Deed) to package more than half a million meals for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey, New York City families, seniors and, and veterans in need.
   
• Phoenix: Points of Light and HandsOn Greater Phoenix will coordinate volunteers to repair and make improvements to the home of a military veteran. Activities include improving exterior paint, building ramps, and installing energy efficient windows and light bulbs. 
   
• Sacramento, Calif: The American Legion Auxiliary, along with the Volunteers of American Veteran Services will host an all-day employment training and hiring fair for veterans, service members, and military spouses.
   
• Washington, D.C.: AARP Foundation and US Hunger will package half a million meals on the National Mall to combat senior poverty and hunger in the D.C. area. Serve DC will host volunteers in a transitional housing beautification project for female veterans to help paint, stock closets with laundry items, and prepare welcome kits.

CNCS is calling on all citizens to pay lasting tribute by volunteering not only on this 9/11 Day, but year round. To find volunteer opportunities, go to “Find an Opportunity” on NationalService.gov/911Day. To learn about volunteer opportunities in response to Hurricane Harvey, go to NationalService.gov/Harvey.