How To Honor And Remember On 9/11
On the National Day of Service, you can donate food, funds or time to help your community.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and we’re still feeling the effects of that tragedy—particularly here in Bergen, as 147 residents in our county died that day and hundreds of our first responders rushed to the scene.
Every year, Americans come together not only to remember those lost in the 9/11 attacks, but also to honor their legacy through service to others. Designated the National Day of Service and Remembrance, the day is meant to encourage acts of kindness, volunteering in communities and lending a hand to neighbors in need. A few ways to get involved:
Donate blood. Help restock local blood centers, which report low supplies this season.
- Vitalant Paramus Blood Donation Center, 877.258.4825. Appointments are available daily and can be scheduled online.
- New York Blood Center’s Paramus Donor Center, 800.933.2566. Appointments are available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and can be scheduled online.
Assemble care kits. Fill bags with toiletries, socks, snacks or school supplies for local shelters or nonprofits.
- Sept. 9, Snack pack assembly, Center for Food Action, Englewood, 201.569.1804. This event starts at 4:30 p.m. and benefits local food insecure children.
Support a food pantry. Organize a mini-food drive or pick up a few extra items during your grocery run.
- The Food Brigade, Dumont, 201.483.4488. Call 201.614.4414 for more information about food donations and drop off times.
- Tri Boro Food Pantry, Park Ridge, 201.573.9083. Food donations are accepted during Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. If you are donating fresh produce, please drop it off on Tuesdays.
Share your skills. Offer to tutor a student, mentor a young professional or help a neighbor with technology or yard work.
- Bergen Volunteers, Paramus, 201.489.9454. Opportunities are always updating here, whether you’re looking to help seniors with household tasks or support youth literacy.
- Ridgewood YMCA, Ridgewood, 201.444.5600. Read to preschool classes or take part in a program that supports grieving kids.
Donate gently used clothing. Clear out your closet and give usable items a second life.
- Vietnam Veterans of America, 800.775.VETS. This national program helps people in need both near and far.
- Women’s Rights Information Center (WRIC) Career Closet, Englewood, 201.568.1166. Help women in need enter the workforce with confidence.
Help out green spaces. Join a local cleanup initiative, an outdoor volunteer organization or pick up litter at a local park, trail or neighborhood street.
- Hackensack Riverkeeper, Hackensack, 201.968.0808. The next community cleanup day is scheduled for Sept. 12 in Oradell.
- MEVO, Mahwah, 201.316.4888. Weekly farm volunteer days help keep local farms healthy, clean and producing fresh veggies for the community.
How are you commemorating the National Day of Service? Tell us all about it on Instagram @bergenmagnj!
