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9/11: A National Day of Service and Remembrance in United States
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Photo from www.israelnewsagency.com/
In April 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act which officially recognized September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Today, President Obama, the Corporation for National and Community Service, MyGoodDeed and the 9/11 families are asking Americans to stand united in service to their communities as a way of honoring the memory of the thousands of victims who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
President Obama said through Proclamation on yesterday, "I proclaim September 11, 2009, as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. I call upon all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and interested organizations and individuals to join in this observance. I call upon the people of the United States to participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with other ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001."
Photo from http://www.national911memorial.org/site/PageServer?pagename=New_history_Page
A press release from www.nationalservice.gov states that "the first officially-designated September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance will be marked by service projects in all 50 states, with tens of thousands of volunteers expected to turn out to paint and refurbish homes, run food drives, spruce up schools, reclaim neighborhoods, and support and honor veterans and first responders."
Volunteer Central, a program of Business Unlimited Maryland, is a resource in Baltimore for recruiting and organizing volunteers. It has accepted the President's 9/11 Call to Service and Remembrance. Volunteer Central is working with several local nonprofits to provide service opportunities in Baltimore for anyone wishing to stand united in service as a way of remembering the thousands of lost lives on September 11, 2001. "Remember AND Serve! Visit www.VolunteerCentral.net to find ways to give back on 9.11 or any other day! Be the change you want to see," said Volunteer Central's Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Candace Baker, on her Facebook page.
The following is an abbreviated list of planned service opportunities in Baltimore scheduled today (9/11) :
- Habitat for Humanity (Chesapeake)- Help build a house for someone in need! Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is a non-profit housing developer that works in partnership with people in need to build simple, decent and affordable houses. There are other volunteer opportunities available as well. Contact Desiree Wingo, (Desiree@chesapeakehfh.org, (410) 366-1250/ext. 128) for more information.
- Sarah’s Hope- Call your family and friends to the kitchen to prepare a casserole, bake sweets, or bag some lunches for homeless women and children. Sarah’s Hope accepts donated food 7 days a week. Other opportunities are available as well. Contact Connor Wall (conor.wall@vincentbaltimore.org, (410) 396-2204) for more information.
- Maryland Food Bank- Help sort and package donated food to be delivered to local nonprofit organizations that feed the hungry. This is a great opportunity for an individual as well as a group. Contact Vanessa Reed (reed@mdfoodbank.org, (410) 737-8282/ext. 232) for more information.
- Herring Run Watershed Association –Help improve the environmental quality of the Herring Run watershed for the mutual benefit of its community and the Chesapeake Bay through on the ground action such as: tree plantings, rain garden creation, water monitoring, and invasive-non-native plant removal. Contact Ashley Traut (atraut@herringrun.org, (410) 254-1577/ext 103) for more information.
- International Book Bank- All for education? Help sort hundreds of donated books for children all over the world with International Book Bank (IBB). IBB helps increase literacy and advance education by obtaining and shipping books and other educational materials to developing countries. Contact Valerie Staats (staats@internationalbookbank.org, (410) 685-2665) for more information.
- Moveable Feast- Volunteer with an agency that prepares and delivers nutritious meals and groceries to individuals and their families - those in need and living with HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging conditions. Help sort donated food or stuff grocery bags. Contact Tom Patrick (TPatrick@MFeast.org, (410) 327-3420/ext. 31) for more information.
- Tree Baltimore- Go green! Plant trees in different areas in Baltimore City to help improve the environment and join others in working toward building a sustainable urban forest. Contact Anne Draddy (Anne.Draddy@baltimorecity.gov, (443) 984-4058) for more information.
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