KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In memory of a friend and brother who died in the World Trade Center attacks , two friends decided to make 9/11 a day of service. Ten years later their idea has turned into a tradition. In 2011, 30 million people performed acts of service on 9/11. Non-profit groups across the metro hope one day of service Tuesday leads to many more days of giving year-round.
At Phoenix Family locations throughout the metro, kids are given a place to go when they get home from school. It’s a service Shannon Burton relies on for her three kids.
“When I work, I don’t really have to worry about daycare. They’re automatically coming here,” Burton said.
Phoenix Family is an organization that consistently needs hundreds of volunteers to mentor children or parents and provide items for families. On September 11th, they hope more people will become aware of how they can help.
“Although we are thrilled that so many people are coming together on one day we hope lots of people will commit to do it independently or collectively every day,” said Kimber Myers Givner.
The creators of My Good Deed and 9/11 Day started the day of service for that reason. According to their website, to “remind people of the importance of working more closely together in peace to improve our world.”
So on Tuesday, nation-wide and here in the metro, hundreds of volunteers are already signed up to fill places like Harvesters and sort out food.
People at Phoenix Family hope volunteers will be signing up there too.
To help families like Shannon Burton’s and to keep the spirit of compassion alive.
“You can do a good deed toward somebody else, and then it helps them do a good deed, and it keeps going and going and going,” Burton said.
The Community Assistance Council in Kansas City is also hosting a national day of service event. Harvesters’ event is all full, and it can’t accept more volunteers for Tuesday.
To find out about more opportunities, follow this link.
“Like” me on Facebook: Abby Eden Fox 4
“Follow” me on Twitter: @AbbyEden
Email me: abby.eden@wdaftv4.com
