It’s been 25 years since the Twin Towers fell to an inconceivable terrorist attack on our country. In those 25 years, the day has become known as Patriot’s Day and Blue Wagon Group joins in marking the occasion with somberness but also with hope since many in our country have embraced commemorating the date with community service.
Volunteer
An official site on the National Day Calendar suggests five ways to show support: attend ceremonies, remember, use hashtags in social media postings (#NeverForget and #PatriotDay are two recommendations), and visit websites to learn more and speak the names of the victims. But we’d like to focus today on the fifth suggestion: volunteer.
Give Blood
I remember in the aftermath of 9/11 in 2001 feeling incredibly helpless. I couldn’t do anything about the devastation. Offering “thoughts and prayers,” while heartfelt, seemed empty when faced with the enormity of the tragedy. I could give money, but that also felt cold and disconnected. I wanted to do something.
So, at the suggestion of a good friend, I gave blood. It was personal. It was from me. Even if it wasn’t helping someone directly impacted by the terrorist attacks, I was still helping someone and helping in a way only I could do. That began a regular practice for me of donating blood.
I submit that is still an impactful way to volunteer and give back. And Blue Wagon is proud to count the American Heart Association on our client roster. We encourage you to support heart initiatives whether with the AHA or with the American Red Cross.
Deep Community Service
Another BWG client that does excellent service work is the Daughters of the American Revolution and this year has a special initiative. Each year, DAR celebrates its founding on October 11 but this year has extended the celebration for an entire month, beginning today, on Patriot’s Day.
Called the New America 250! Month Of Service Initiative, DAR gave specifics in an early August blog post, including suggesting meal packing activities, supporting Blue Star families, various National Parks outreach programs, library-based genealogy and transcription projects, and Feeding America initiatives. Specific chapters are even participating and hosting remembrance events like the Pentagon Chapter’s ceremony at the National Pentagon 9/11 Memorial.
More Volunteering
Beyond our BWG clients, we encourage you to search out any community service project that works with your schedule. Examples include volunteering at the local animal shelter, reading to children, sorting clothes at a facility serving foster youth, and helping combat food insecurity with service at a food pantry.
Community service and volunteer work can only be a positive way to honor the memory of those who we commemorate today.