Every generation has its pivotal moment; the first moon landing, JFK’s assassination, the Space Shuttle disaster; which become a part of that generation’s shared history. Ask anyone of a particular generation and they can tell you where they were, who they were with and what they felt the moment they heard the news.
Then there are moments that define a nation. The Fourth of July, Pearl Harbor, D-Day and September 11th are just such moments. Those days created fundamental changes in the fabric of our nation. Although some might look at these days and see the common thread as being an attack on America, the underlying common thread of all of these events truly is the resilience and the dedication to purpose of the American people.
September 11th is unique in that it is officially designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Unlike other days which are marked by parades, picnics and ceremonies, this holiday asks that we also take time to remember and serve. It is an ideal opportunity to take a moment to stop and remember those who lost their lives at the hands of terrorists and those who gave their lives responding to that attack. And it is an opportunity to respond ourselves by building stronger communities on a day that was intended to tear them apart.
Join us in showing the world that we are resilient and we are stronger together by joining us for one of the projects on 9/11 and 9/12. Volunteer opportunities include:
- Excitement is Building in Jersey City – volunteers will landscape and beautify a 9/11 Memorial Garden and build picnic tables for students to enjoy the beautiful, albeit incomplete, New York skyline.
- Happy Harvesting in Pittstown – volunteers will aid in the harvesting of fruits and vegetables that will be donated to local organizations to feed the hungry.
- Weed Em’ and Reap in Hillsborough – volunteers will help the native habitat flourish by removing invasive plant species.
- Weed Between the Lines in Morristown – volunteers will beautify the park by landscaping and removing invasive species.
We hope to see you out there. For a full list of volunteer opportunities for 9/11 and 9/12, as well as the rest of the year, check out www.JerseyCares.org.
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