How you can make 9/11 a day of service

Posted on Sep 07, 2021 by: David Knapp

Saturday, September 11 is 9/11 Day, Patriot Day in the U.S., a National Day of Service & Remembrance. Especially on this 20^th anniversary, it’s a great opportunity to help others in remembrance of those killed and injured on September 11, 2001, and in appreciation of the first responders and the countless others who rose up in service as a response to the attacks as well as those who chose to defend the nation’s freedom at home and around the globe.

How can you step forward on this day of service? Your efforts don’t need to be heroic to be patriotic. Here are 10 simple ideas for ways you can make a difference:

Contact a local cause or charity you support to see if they need assistance for the day. They may need help even if they haven’t posted a project.
Go through your home and collect items to donate that are in good shape, but that you no longer need. Winter is coming, and coats, shoes, gloves, hats, etc. can make a huge difference to those in need.
Visit an aging relative or friend. If you don’t have someone you could visit, look into volunteering at a hospice. They’re always in need of volunteers willing to spend time with their patients.
Put together some care packages and spend the day at a local veteran’s facility visiting with vets and sharing with them your appreciation for their service.
Fix something to bring to your local fire or police station to show your gratitude for their efforts.
Call your local homeless shelter/domestic violence shelter, or stop by their website, to see if they have a wish list of supplies they need that can be ordered and sent or delivered to them.
Drop off supplies at your local animal shelter – they always need food.
Pick up some needed supplies and volunteer at a local food pantry or soup kitchen.
Spend the day cleaning up a local park or community highway.
Do something nice for a neighbor or better yet, take care of yourself. You can do a good deed by being kind others and to yourself.

This doesn’t have to be an all-out day of intensive volunteering but going out of your way for someone you know or for those who are strangers seems a fitting way to spend the 20th anniversary of 9/11. You’re UCT members, you know what to do.