Nearly $18,000 awarded for volunteer projects in honor of 9/11 National Day of Service
Michigan Community Service Commission funded 26 volunteer projects
Throughout the month of September, the Michigan Community Service Commission awarded nearly $18,000 to support 26 volunteer projects in honor of 9/11 National Day of Service. Through these projects, volunteers served veterans, military personnel and first responders, and focused on environmental improvement, disaster preparedness, and a variety of community support activities.
“Serving others is a wonderful way to unite individuals and strengthen communities as we remember those who assisted others after the 9/11 tragedy,” said MCSC Executive Director Ginna Holmes.
The Michigan Community Service Commission issued nearly $18,000 in grants ranging from $100 to $1,000. Funding was also provided by AmeriCorps.
Nearly 8,000 volunteer hours were served, over 1,600 youth volunteers were engaged, and 5,000 community members were impacted because of the various 9/11 service events that took place across the state.
Habitat for Humanity Lenawee County hosted a service event to complete repairs at seven residences in Onstead, which was led by their Army veteran construction manager.
“Thanks to the support of the United Way of Monroe and Lenawee Counties, the Michigan Community Service Commission, and many others, Habitat Lenawee was able to repair nine homes in Onsted through our Rock the Block program,” said Development Director of Habitat of Humanity of Lenawee County, Carrie Hartley. “We are grateful for all the support we received and look forward to doing it next year, when we move the program to the Hudson community!”
While projects engaged youth and adults of all ages, some volunteer projects were fortunate to receive support from public/elected officials and other special guests. State Representative Bronna Kahle attended the volunteer event held by Habitat for Humanity Lenawee County where she helped paint a porch. Michigan State Representative Helena Scott and Highland Park Councilwoman Deblon Jackson attended the volunteer event held by My Sister’s Keeper and donated snacks and supplies.
On 9/11 Partridge Creek Farm hosted a large group of community partners, spearheaded by the local Lion's Club chapter where they built 12 garden beds and a split rail fence around the garden. The International Director of the Lion’s Club and the principal of Birchview Elementary attended to show their support.
Heart of West Michigan United Way mobilized volunteers to assemble Emergency Response Supply Kits for local families and learn about responding to emergencies.
“For our 9/11 Day of Service event, we partnered with the Crestwood Middle School 8th graders to build 700 emergency preparedness starter kits,” said Heart of West Michigan United Way Volunteer Center Specialist Brooke Galloway. “I felt like this event was great for young people to discover the importance of having a plan for disasters and allows them the opportunity to talk with their family about their disaster plans once they bring their kits home."
Some additional highlights from 9/11 National Day of Service include:
Alcona Community Schools – recognized 208 veterans that were a part of Alcona Community Schools from 1958 to 2021. Each veteran’s name was called along with their branch and year of graduation and a flag was placed in their honor.
Ostego County United Way – hosted a service event that assigned volunteers to nine different volunteer locations. Volunteer teams created over 1,500 reusable bags filled with supplies and hand puppets, conducted a community clean-up at multiple sites, and distributed food and personal supplies.
Black Autonomy Network Community Organization – partnered with the Benton Harbor Community Water Council to pass out more than 500 cases of water, 200 backpacks, 600 water bottles, and 6 water filter stations to the Benton Harbor Area School District.
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency – involved volunteers at garden building projects at two early childhood education centers that serve 200 families who earn very low incomes.
Provide Inc. – hosted a virtual service project and workshop that empowered almost 150 volunteers in a wide-variety of Michigan communities to use their creativity to give hope, show compassion, and promote healing.
Loyola High School – students from Loyola High School in conjunction with the Blue Star Mothers of Michigan created a wall of appreciation for veterans in transitional housing and recovery in Detroit. Additionally, they purchased warm hoodies, socks, and shirts for the veterans in need.
The Kindness Rally – teams received a list of random acts of kindness challenges that involve helping others and bettering the community. From cleaning up trash and writing thank-you notes to carrying groceries to the car, teams worked to cross off challenges to see who did the most good deeds by the end of the event.
