Thousands of Americans unite in service to strengthen communities nationwide
By Alltimepost.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) today announced that tens of thousands of Americans will volunteer as part of the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. CNCS leads this nationwide effort that pays tribute to and honors the victims and heroes of that day.
This 9/11 weekend, volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are expected to join their neighbors in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to build affordable housing for veterans and military families, prepare care packages for military service members and first responders, revitalize parks and neighborhoods, educate citizens on disaster preparedness, organize food drives, and more. Many AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers will lead and participate in these projects.
“The events on 9/11 were truly devastating, but they also brought the country together in the spirit of service,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, who will join volunteers and national service participants at service projects in New York City.
“I am proud to serve alongside so many Americans who are dedicating a day to give back in honor of the day’s victims and heroes. Through volunteering, we can make a difference in the lives of families and transform communities on the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance and every day.”
CNCS partners with 9/11 Day, the nonprofit that began the 9/11 Day observance more than 10 years ago, and hundreds of other nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, schools, and businesses nationwide.
Other key partners for 2016 include, Points of Light, Service for Peace, and Youth Service America. This year, CNCS joins a coalition of organizations, including 9/11 Day, to support a new initiative “Tomorrow Together,” which will inspire empathy and unity among young leaders and bring generations together nationwide in community service.
Below is a sample of service projects taking place across the country during the 9/11 Day weekend:
Atlanta, GA: Through Rebuilding Together for Atlanta and Points and Light, volunteers will complete home improvements and beautification projects for a Vietnam veteran in need. These improvements include landscaping, cleaning out and organizing a shed, and general repair projects.
Baton Rouge, LA: Director of AmeriCorps Bill Basl will join AmeriCorps members supporting relief efforts in Southern Louisiana as they recruit and serve alongside volunteers to muck and gut homes of first responders and others in the areas devastated by flooding in mid-August.
Boston, MA: The New England Aquarium’s Service Corps will serve alongside youth and veterans on various projects to beautify the Castle Island park area. In addition, they will recruit volunteers to assemble care packages and decorate reusable bags to donate to the New England Center for Homeless Veterans.
Fort Lauderdale, FL: Hands-on Broward will host a service project at Keystone Halls, a transitional housing facility for veterans who are recovering from substance abuse. Volunteers will complete beautification projects, helping to repair, paint, and revitalize the grounds and buildings of the facility.
Fort Worth, TX: The United Way of Tarrant County has teamed up with Points of Light to assemble care packages for active duty service men and women.
Lawrence Township, N.J.: Rider University will partner with Youth Service America to lead service projects on campus to prepare for community disasters and canvass Trenton neighborhoods, encouraging low-income families to prepare for disasters.
Louisville, KY: Service for Peace, Global Game Changers, and the Muhammad Ali Center has teamed up to implement a youth-based education and service project to enhance civic engagement. Students will work with Louisville police officers to write thank you letters to 9/11 first responders and engage in open dialogue on race and prejudice.
Lynn, MA: Congressman Seth Moulton will join AmeriCorps members and local nonprofits in a variety of tasks from assembling care packages for first responders to building and maintaining gardens. In addition, Congressman Moulton will recognize finalists and the winner of the Peter J. Gomes Service Award during a 9/11 commemorative ceremony at Lynn English Middle School.
New York, NY: Through New York Cares, Wendy Spencer, CEO of CNCS, will join AmeriCorps members and volunteers to sort and organize infant and toddler clothing, books, toys, and equipment that will be given to children in poverty. AmeriCorps members and volunteers will join 9/11 Day to package more than half a million meals for New York City families, seniors and, and veterans in need.
Phoenix, AZ: Catholic Charities Community Services Arizona will host a service project at Verde Villas, a new transitional housing facility that provides affordable housing for homeless veterans and military families. Volunteers will prepare meals, decorate the facility, participate in a short dedication ceremony, as well as socialize with veterans in attendance.
San Diego, CA: Youth Service America and the Center for Sustainable Communities will host “Rallies for Resilience,” to raise awareness about the floods in Louisiana. Through this service project, they will ensure that vulnerable and underserved communities are better prepared and able to adapt and mitigate severe weather disasters. “Rallies for Resilience” will also be held in Atlanta, Ga., and Hampton Roads, VA
St. Louis, MO: United Way of Greater St. Louis will engage local students and volunteers in serve projects to assemble and distribute more than 500 first responder appreciation packages to firefighters in the area.
Washington, DC: AARP Foundation will host its second annual Celebration of Service meal pack event on the National Mall to combat senior poverty and hunger in the area. Volunteers will pack 1.5 million meals to help combat poverty among the area’s residents, including struggling seniors.
The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance is the culmination of efforts started by 9/11 family members and support groups to establish the service day as a way to honor victims and heroes of 9/11.
CNCS, the federal agency for volunteering and service, was charged to lead the September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance through the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which passed with strong bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Obama in 2009.
To find volunteer opportunities on September 11th and throughout the year, visit Serve.gov.
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the President’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve.
