Press Release from United Way of Greater New Bedford
This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. 9/11 has been recognized and declared the National Day of Service & Remembrance nationwide for nearly two decades, encouraging people across the country to give back in service to their communities.
United Way of Greater New Bedford and Southcoast Health are encouraging the Southcoast community to join the movement and complete good deeds all month long in honor of the anniversary.
Not sure where to start? Here are 11 ways to give back this 9/11:
1. Register for Volunteer SouthCoast – www.volunteersouthcoast.org Simply register yourself for the site. From there you will have access to hundreds of volunteer activities across the SouthCoast. You can search by your location, interests, or availability to find the right opportunity for you!
2. Host a food drive or donate food items — unitedwayofgnb.org/hunger-commission Organize your friends, family, neighborhood, or school group and collect food items for others in our community. Completed drives can be dropped at United Way OR if it is a large drive, we can arrange to pick it up. You can shop right off our Amazon Wish List and have it sent to our office by clicking here. Contact Victoria for more info – 508-994-9625 ext. 210 or vgrasela@unitedwayofgnb.org
3. Support Veterans’ mental health Many active service members and veterans suffer mental health issues. Learn more about the services available to them and post those resources on your social media to spread the word.
4. Donate blood: www.redcrossblood.org There is a national blood shortage happening right now. YOU can save a life by donating blood.
5. Host a neighborhood cleanup or help a neighbor Show some neighborhood pride with a cleanup, whether it is picking up trash along the side of the road or by mowing your neighbor’s lawn while you are out doing your own!
6. Host a Baby Bundles drive or donate baby items: unitedwayofgnb.org/ baby-bundles Organize your friends, family, neighborhood, or school group and collect baby items to be included in Baby Bundles for new moms in our community. Completed drives can be dropped at United Way OR if it is a large drive, we can arrange to pick it up. Contact Victoria for more info: 508-994-9625 ext. 210 or vgrasela@unitedwayofgnb.org
7. Thank a first responder Say thank you to local first responders including police, fire fighters, EMTs, doctors & nurses!
8. Show you care and you support veterans and active service members Send a card to a local veteran or an active service member to let them know you care and are thinking of them. Send to a local Veteran: https://www.vetshouse.org/ Send to an active duty member https://supportourtroops.org/cards-letters
9. Register to vote: www.sec.state. ma.us/ovr Make your voice heard by registering to vote! If you are 18 or older you can register to vote in the next election by going to https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/ and filling out the registration form.
10. Thank a teacher Send a few extra schools supplies for the classroom with your kids this school year. Teachers can always use the extra supplies!
11. Go the extra mile for someone you love
Each of these good deeds is a way of showing you care for others on the Southcoast and beyond. To view the full list of deeds with active links, visit https://unitedwayofgnb.org/11-ways-to-give-back-this-9-11/
Share your good deeds and inspire others by using #911dayofcaring.
“We’ve seen a lot of good deeds over the past year and how our community steps up to help one another during tough times,” said Victoria Grasela, VP of Marketing & Community Engagement at United Way. “Let’s keep that momentum going throughout September in honor of the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 and do something — no matter how big or small — for others.”
United Way of Greater New Bedford has traditionally hosted their annual Day of Caring to encourage service on this important day, but have opted to promote virtual volunteerism and good deeds due to continued COVID-19 restrictions.
“Service is at the heart of the Southcoast Cares mission,” said Southcoast Director of Community Benefits Rachel Davis. “Southcoast is committed to improving health and wellness across the region through high-quality healthcare as well as community engagement to address residents’ most pressing needs. We are pleased to partner and encourage participation in completing good deeds for the month of September.”
Southcoast Health is a not-for-profit, charitable organization and the largest provider of primary and specialty care in the region, serving communities in Rhode Island and across Southeastern Massachusetts at three acute care hospitals — Charlton Memorial in Fall River, St. Luke’s in New Bedford and Tobey in Wareham — in addition to seven Urgent Care Centers, two Centers for Cancer Care, a Visiting Nurse Association and numerous ambulatory facilities in 33 communities covering over 900 square miles.
United Way of Greater New Bedford brings together volunteers, community leaders, and corporate partners to provide quality programs and initiatives that achieve positive results. United Way fights for the health, education, financial stability, and basic needs in each of the nine communities they serve.
For more information about 9/11 Day and links to complete the good deeds on the list, visit https://unitedwayofgnb.org/11-ways-to-give-back-this-9-11/.
Learn more about 9/11 Day organization at www.911day.org
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