How You Can Volunteer To Commemorate 9/11

Just two years after MyGoodDeed.org secured September 11 as a national day of service under federal law, the nonprofit is gearing up for the single largest day of charitable action in United States history.

Driving this momentous service initiative is the nonprofit’s founders Jay Winuk, who lost a brother in the World Trade Center attacks, and David Paine. Though devastated by the tragedies, both men were moved by the outpouring of support, love and generosity they witnessed in the immediate aftermath of 9/11.

Determined to unite the nation around that same giving spirit, the organization has partnered with the HandsOn Network, the country’s leading volunteer organization, to engage an estimated 33 million people in giving back to their communities on the tenth anniversary of September 11.

But the commemoration doesn’t stop once volunteers complete their service project. Those who choose to honor the day with helping others can share their story on 9/11Day.org and dedicate their hard work to a victim who died on that tragic day.

The goal is to inspire Americans to "observe 9/11 by taking time to help someone else in need," the founders told the Huffington Post. “Remember by doing.”

How will you remember September 11?

EAST COAST
New York
Restored with the help of people nationwide, the National 9/11 Flag has been touring America for several years and will become part of the permanent collection of the National September 11 Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center. Through the New York Says Thank You Foundation, you can sponsor a stitch on the flag for $5.

Thousands of people will stand united along the Hudson River starting in Battery Park, joining hands in solidarity for 9/11. Volunteers are needed to help with check-in and traffic control. A number of community volunteer events will also take place in the area on September 10 and 11 to benefit youth, police, homeless and other groups. Learn more at the HandinHand website.

The Pace University Community and Volunteer Mobilization AmeriCorps program will host "Chinatown C.A.R.E.S" on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Broome Street Pit at Sara D. Roosevelt Park. The program, established in 2002, will help rebuild Chinatown and the Lower East Side by providing ESL, public health, youth and other programs.

Muslims For Life is holding blood drives nationwide at mosques and prayer centers across the U.S. to honor the victims of 9/11. The goal is to collect 10,000 units of blood -- to save 30,000 lives -- during the month.

New Jersey
Jersey Cares is offering special 9/11 volunteer opportunities from Sept. 8 through Sept. 12. The organization is looking for 1,000 volunteers to participate in more than 35 different projects. Help prepare disaster readiness kits or serve hot food to the needy. Get creative when you plant 9/11 memorial gardens, paint murals or build patriotic picnic tables. Learn about specific locations throughout the state at Jersey Cares.

Washington, DC
HandsOn Greater DC Cares will round up 10,000 volunteers to give back during three days of service Friday to Sunday. Opportunities include crafting organic seed globes of flowers to be planted around town. Volunteers can also put together educational tools for elementary and middle school students, which will be packaged and given to local schools across Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. The nation's capital is also making a big push for 7,000 students to partake in a letter-writing campaign to troops and their families. Find out more details about these events and other service opportunities at GreaterDCCares.org

Massachusetts
To honor 9/11, the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund will offer a range of service opportunities. Help create 1,000 military care packages for servicemen and women, "plant" flags at the Boston Public Garden or volunteer to unload donations for needy families. Find more details at Massmilitaryheroes.com.

WEST COAST
California
California steps up to help out with a number of major initiatives taking place throughout the state. L.A. remembers, for example, offers up a host of opportunities from participating in a food drive with Big Sunday to partaking in a memorial service, followed by an interfaith prayer gathering. Los Angelenos can also build museum fixtures and models honoring the US military to be featured in Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum.

Over in the Bay Area, locals commit the entire month to a "Season of Service” to help commemorate 9/11. On Sept. 11, 500 volunteers, veterans, and first responders gather at the Veterans War Memorial to partake in community service projects and pay tribute to those who died. In Santa Rosa, Pacific Air Coast Museum visitors can honor those who died at the 9/11 exhibit, which features the first fighter aircraft to arrive over New York City on September 11.

Oregon
HandsOn Greater Portland has locals covered on September 11 when it comes to giving back to the City of Roses. Remove English ivy that threatens to kill Fort Tryon Park’s native plants, grow fresh vegetables to help fight hunger, or make blankets for families of troops and veterans. For a complete listing of available service opportunities, visit the HandsOn Greater Portland.

WASHINGTON
Ten years ago, 30,000 people gathered around the international fountain at the Seattle Center to commemorate September 11. This year, Seattle Works invites locals to partake in moments of silence and reflection in that same spot from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and make blankets to be donated to the Red Cross. Get involved with Habitat for Humanity by registering for a new volunteer orientation taking place on Sept. 10 in Tacoma, so you can start building homes for those in need. To find other volunteer opportunities in the area, visit the HandsOn Network.

THE MIDWEST
Iowa
Iowans have a range of opportunities to partake in meaningful acts of service to commemorate September 11. Locals can sew Freedom Quilts for family members who have lost loved ones, rev up their motorcycles for an Honor Ride, or participate in a 9/11 memorial. Find details at Volunteer Iowa.

Minnesota
In the Twin Cities, which consistently tops the list for volunteer rate nationwide, about 800 community members will commemorate the Day of Service by repairing homes of veterans and military families. Volunteers also have the opportunity to help repair the damage in North Minneapolis, caused by the tornado in May. Find details at Challenge.gov.

Illinois
In the Windy City, Chicago Cares is coordinating numerous service events for volunteers to honor the 9/11 anniversary. The city's largest volunteer opportunity -- hosted by the White Sox—calls for about 500 volunteers to help transform McClellan Elementary School by painting murals, installing new structures and helping with other reconstruction tasks, according to CBS. Operation Support Our Troops Illinois invites seniors, 55 and up, to write letters of thanks to the military men and women currently serving our country.Honoring service members continues in Bridgeview, Ill. where the Arab American Family Services plant trees at Commissioners Park.

THE SOUTH
Alabama
The city of Montgomery is going so far as to say that service trumps work when it comes to commemorating 9/11. Service opportunities begin Friday, with the city urging businesses to allow three hours off for employees to give back. The 9/11 signature project offers service projects, safety training, disaster awareness and preparedness information to benefit disabled and homeless veterans, seniors, youth and at-risk families. The town continues to come together for volunteer projects dedicated to veterans, service members and first responders. Find details at HandsOn River Region.

Texas
The Texas Rangers and the Volunteer Center of North Texas will host the third annual North TexasVolunteer Challenge (NTVC) as part of the National Day of Service and Remembrance. This four-hour service project brings together people to raise funds for more than 1,700 nonprofit organizations that represent a range of causes.

Florida
Volunteer Florida aims to mobilize residents of all ages to engage in the spirit of service that brought people together in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. In Broward County, volunteers can participate in service projects at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School. In Lauderhill, Fla. locals can share their feelings of gratitude by writing letters to soldiers and 9/11 first responders. Those up for an athletic challenge can run a 5K in Fort Lauderdale to honor first responders and military families on Sept. 10. For a full list of service opportunities, check out Florida Remembers.

For even more volunteer opportunities, please visit 9/11 Day and the HandsOn Network.

Comments

[JessSF]

04:38 PM on 09/11/2011

We Americans must stop whining about 9/11…God this incessant self-pity..
We’ve caused countless civilian deaths in the Middle East and yet we care little or nothing about these victims…..

[pallmallguy]

03:58 PM on 09/10/2011

hearing about where ppl were and what they were doing when they first heard the news is exactly as uninteresting as it sounds yet people still insist on retelling it as if it matters.

[AlyceMD3]

12:44 AM on 09/10/2011

To all our Military, past and present, thank you. To all the living victims of 9/11, all the families and rescueres, God bless you. And to all who died that horrible day, thank you, God Bless you, and may you rest in Peace.

[blueheronwv]

12:12 AM on 09/10/2011

Who would want to????? And why??????

[thegodlessgeneration]

01:37 PM on 09/09/2011

A national day of service to commemorate 9/11 - because 9/11 was the greatest national tragedy this country has ever faced in all its history. We have taken this one day in history and turned it into a national obsession. We're constantly reminded of it by the media and during every election cycle. With phrases like "Never forget", it's impossible to do so!

It's time to move on; it has been 10 years. Most people don't even know that NYC is *not* the capital of New York State. How long are we going to mope around in this emotional cesspool? Enough with the self-pity and self-centered nature of this country; we have bigger problems. I don't see a "Get Us Out of Debt" day of service or "Jobs Day of Service.

[milybu]

02:27 AM on 09/10/2011

AGREED!

[MermaidMojo]

01:16 AM on 09/09/2011

I think this is a wonderful way to give back, make a difference and if you're experencing anxiety or just restlessness on 9-11 keep busy. Growing up in a volunteer family you learn just how important it is to give back and help any cause that is dear to you. It may be lending an ear to a lonely soul or building houses for vets. You may think, what can I do, believe me it may be as simple as a kind word to someone having a bad day. To you it may mean little, to someone else it may mean the world. Reach out ~ Make a difference. Good thoughts to all on a tragic anniversary.

[BlackJAC]

04:22 PM on 09/08/2011

The only people who are going to commemorate it are red staters who were secretly glad it happened.  The simple fact that the 9/11 Memorial at Logan Airport is a small, understated, enshrouded box that I've only seen from a Central Parking walkover bridge should tell you what one of the areas most affected by it thinks about commemorating it.

[AlyceMD3]

12:48 AM on 09/10/2011

I plan to commerate it by greeting and spending time with our Military and their families with the USO at our local Joint Army/Air Force Base. I am NOT glad it happened, and anyone who is should be ashamed of themselves. So should whoever designed the memorial at Logan Airport.

[BlackJAC]

08:18 AM on 09/10/2011

In other words: you have no connection, direct or even ancillary, to the fiasco and are engaging in politically-correct sojer-groupieism to distract from that fact. Three of the casualties were from my town alone, another three attended my high school, and another one was a kid my brother used to play soccer with; I'll be at the gym trying to keep my eyes off the TVs facing the cardio machines. FYI: Logan is on a peninsula near an extremely thickly settled area, and as such they can't spare any real estate to pander to your self-esteem.

[jsern]

03:35 PM on 09/08/2011

hmmm How can I volunteer to remember one of the biggest setups in US history. I should kindly ask the FBI to release all that secret footage that was taken..

[SaneIndependent]

03:02 PM on 09/08/2011

I'm am so tired of the melodrama regarding this thing. America's sappiness is just another indicaotr of our national weakness and cowardness.

[foxisms]

02:49 PM on 09/08/2011

After a week of hype and build up, I imagine a time not too far in the future when we can expect to commemorate 9/11 with huge blow out sales on mattresses, cars and appliances just as we do for the 4th of July, Presidents Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Special huh?
"That's the way we roll."

[milybu]

02:29 AM on 09/10/2011

Interesting thought. You are probably right!

[Peter Speight]

02:47 PM on 09/08/2011

Yes. We should commemorate 9/11, and the tragedy that hurt a nation and countless families.

And can we also volunteer to commemorate the hundreds of thousands civilians and children killed in Iraq, because of Bush and Blair. Chaos, destruction, instability, daily terrorism. All imported to Iraq by Bush and Blair.

[CrossingTheLD]

02:41 PM on 09/08/2011

9/11 actually did happen, right?

[MarcEdward]

02:41 PM on 09/08/2011

We will "remember" by doing what we always do. I have no intention of honoring a day that marks a dark slide into illegal and unethical behavior by the USA. We should be ashamed on that day.

[fmz]

02:36 PM on 09/08/2011

By exposing it for what it is....Reichstag burning.

[No1 ILoveLucyFan]

02:33 PM on 09/08/2011

This comment is pending until approval by moderators who are out to lunch.




Or fishing.




Or buying shoes.




Or in the bathroom.




Or getting a churro from the guy on the corner.





Or looking for a new job.





Or surfing "Texts from last night".








Whichever.