September 11 National Day of Service & Remembrance

The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance is the culmination of an effort originally launched in 2002 by 9/11 family members and support groups, who worked to establish the charitable service day as a forward-looking way to honor 9/11 victims, survivors, and others who rose up in service in response to the attacks.

In 2009, Congress designated September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with supporting this effort across the country. For the anniversary, CNCS is working with numerous organizations to implement one of the largest days of charitable service in U.S. history.

On the anniversary of the September 11th attacks, Americans will unite in service in the same remarkable way that so many came together following the attacks.

As in years past, we anticipate service and remembrance activities in all 50 states, at which there will be opportunities for hundreds of thousands of volunteers to paint and refurbish homes, run food drives, spruce up schools, reclaim neighborhoods, and support and honor veterans, soldiers, military families, and first responders. To find opportunities to serve during this year’s September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance, you can visit http://www.serve.gov/toolkits.asp.

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley will be partnering with many agencies to provide opportunities for those to provide service and remember this important day. Here are a few examples:

Allen Hospital – greet and guide someone to their destination, provide hospitality in a waiting room or assist in the gift shop.

Cedar Valley Arboretum – assist with fall grounds preparation.
Catholic Worker House – prepare meals at home to be frozen and brought to the Catholic Worker House.
Hartman Reserve Nature Center – walk the trails and pick-up trash and assist with mulching.
Country View Care Facility – play games with residents.

Northeast Iowa Food Bank – help stock shelves in the pantry and put together food packs for various programs.
Salvation Army – prepare and serve a noon meal.

You can participate in activities by contacting the VCCV at 272-2087 or visiting www.vccv.org for a complete listing of available opportunities.