LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – This Sunday marks the 21st anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks against the United States. In 2009, families of the victims who died that day in New York City,
the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania partnered with legislators to establish the “September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance” to honor their loved ones.
The bipartisan bill, called the “Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act” made the day a federally-recognized day of service and former President Barack Obama amended the Patriot Day Presidential Proclamation, first established by George W. Bush, to officially designate September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.
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The day has become the largest annual day of charitable service in the United States.
This year, the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC), which is housed in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, is awarding a total of $10,000 in grants to support 26 Michigan organizations who are hosting volunteer projects for the 9/11 National Day of Service. These projects will serve veterans, military personnel and first responders and also focus on environmental improvement and disaster preparedness.
The grants range from $100 to $10,000 each and the funding was provided by AmeriCorps.
The following is a list of the grant recipients and their projects:
My Sister’s Keeper (Highland Park)
Projects related to thanking vets, first responders, and peace promoting events to reduce community violence.
Habitat for Humanity Lenawee County (Onsted)
“Rock the Block” will repair and improve homes for vets.
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Wickes Park Neighbor Association (Saginaw)
Youth volunteers will interview and write the stories of the area’s long-time residents.
Baraga County Community Foundation (Baraga and L’Anse)
Students will create thank you items for veterans and learn about 9/11.
Partridge Creek Farm (Ishpeming)
Build ADA accessible garden with handprints of all 240 Birchview School Students.
VFW Auxiliary to Post 3165 (Negaunee)
Accept donations for snacks and wellness items for active military wellness packs.
Catholic Charities West Michigan (Grand Rapids)
Youth will create thank you gifts for first responders and veterans.
Capital Area Literacy Coalition/The Reading People (Lansing)
Volunteers will host a Brunch and Books to promote literacy.
JCI Greater Muskegon (Muskegon)
Community resource event for vets and active military and families to connect to education, employment, vet resources and “Hero Campaign.”
Pattengill Biotechnical (Lansing)
Volunteers will paint inspirational and inclusive messages in school to promote unity and belonging.
Barry County United Way (Hastings)
Virtual opportunity to create and donate items for community first aid/wellness kits.
Madison Elementary School (Madison Heights)
School will host an item drive to support Michigan foster children and those who aged out of foster care.
Chandler Park Neighborhood Association (Detroit)
Clean up illegal neighborhood dump sites, build community gardens, emergency kits and create a youth art piece at both clean up locations.
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency (Detroit)
Community gardens at two preschool programs will create paint barrels and build raised gardens.
Michener Elementary (Adrian)
Students will learn techniques for indoor gardening to grow community food resources.
We 3 Queens Community Outreach (Detroit)
Volunteers will drive meals and hygiene kits to predesignated areas to distribute meals.
Yad Ezra (Berkley)
Remove unsafe playground structure and prepare land for community garden.
TrueNorth Community Services/Camp Newaygo (Newaygo)
Volunteers will perform clean up and improve project at the camp and trails.
Ottawa Food, Ottawa County Dept. of Public Health (Holland)
Volunteers will pick berries and apples from local farms to provide fresh produce to families and donate items to pantries.
United Way of Genesee County (Flint)
Blood drive, building emergency kits, volunteers will learn CPR.
United Way of Bay County (Bay City)
Youth and seniors at Bayview Memory Care Center will create and distribute Halloween safety kits in elementary schools.
Heart of West Michigan United Way (Grand Rapids)
Middle school students will attend and emergency preparedness event, learn about 9/11, and create disaster kits for home.
Manistique Senior Center (Manistique)
Girl Scouts and youth will clean up senior’s yards and complete landscaping.
United Way – Montcalm Ionia (Belding)
Volunteers will assemble 750 emergency preparedness kits.
Otsego County United Way (Gaylord)
Volunteers will participate in tornado clean-up activities at residential properties and attend a community healing event related to May’s tornado.
Ironwood Theatre, Inc (Ironwood)
Event to clean and improve community theatre.
