Years ago, Karleen Mennen of the Mennen Corp, advised, “If you want to pull your community together, find common ground that everyone can agree upon.” That common ground is service. No matter what ideology or persuasion, service is a means of bringing people together.
In 2002, just months following the 9/11 attacks, David Paine and Jay Winuk, whose brother died in the collapse of the World Trade Central South Tower, founded 9/11 as a National Day of Remembrance and Service. Their goal was to take back the day. Paine explained, “We weren’t just red states or blue states. We were just human beings helping one another. And I think it awakened me to the realization that while we may not agree on a lot of things, we are all fundamentally kind, decent, compassionate people that care about one another. Maybe that ought to be the legacy that we pass on for generations to come.”
President Barack Obama officially designated September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance in 2009. Surveys conducted by MyGoodDeed state that approximately 35 million Americans engage in acts of service on 9/11 making it the largest annual day of charitable service in the United States.
Indeed, last year on 9/11, hundreds of citizens contributed innumerable hours in each community along the Byway corridor, helping the elderly and sick, cleaning up roadways and cemeteries, and painting and pruning in organized events.
This year, everyone is encouraged to select their preference in how they might serve. For ideas or specific projects, you can refer to justserve.org where dozens of diverse opportunities are listed. Check out your neighborhood or call your local city for any needs they might have that you can help with. The opportunities are endless.
Service doesn’t have an expiration date. While 9/11 is the nationally designated day, we can do kind deeds each day and transform our lives and those whose lives we touch.
On Tuesday, September 10, at 6:00 pm, a dinner and celebration will be held at the Escalante City Heritage Park for everyone in neighboring towns to unite with food and fun activities for all ages. Bring any extra garden produce you want to share and a blanket or chair to sit on. Plan on a good time enjoying the company of other kind, decent, compassionate people who care about one another.
– by Karen Munson
Karen M. Munson – Escalante
Karen is an associate editor at The Byway. She is fascinated and fulfilled by all things involved with writing. After graduating from BYU, she taught English at Escalante High School for three years. She pursues opportunities to write and support others in their writing. Karen has published three books with four more scheduled to be released in 2024. She and Reed are the parents of ten children and the grandparents of 35 grandchildren.
Karen is the author of two columns in The Byway, A New Twist on Mental Health and Lyle’s Corner.