Volunteer Center: A Call to Serve as a Way to Remember 9/11

The Tarrytown-based Volunteer Center of the United Way has collaborated with numerous organizations in the county to create wide opportunities to give back in the days surrounding this September 11 anniversary.

Read more here from their kick-off celebration at Pace University on Tuesday.

The service opportunities – many of them family-friendly – start this Thursday and go through next Wednesday. The Volunteer Center only asks that you register now to participate.

Thursday, Sept. 5

• Support Connection, a nonprofit that offers free, confidential support services to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer, is looking for enthusiastic and outgoing people to hand out flyers educating the public about their programs in addition to their upcoming 19th Annual Support-A-Walk in October. To help, volunteers must attend an orientation on Thursday, Sept. 5. More info here.

Saturday, Sept. 7

• The Arc of Westchester empowers children, teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, to achieve their potential by strengthening families and encouraging personal choices, abilities and interests. We need five volunteers to paint part of the interior of the Ann Manzi Center, which is used during the week for various programs. More info here.

• Help protect native trees in FDR State Park by cutting and removing invasive vines. More info here.

• Volunteers are invited to join and help sort and package clothing for children in need at The Sharing Shelf. The Sharing Shelf collects gently used children’s clothing provide those usable items to members of our community who are in need. You can also do this on 9/11. More info here.

• Volunteers are needed to help at the Yorktown Grange Fair, the only country fair in Westchester County. This is a great opportunity for teens 13 and older to earn community service hours. Dates also available on Sunday, Sept. 8. More info here.

Sunday, Sept. 8

• Volunteers will be sorting clothing donations (by gender, size and season) at the Pass it On Kids Kloset in White Plains. Participants will be able to pack "Bags of Love" containing a weeks worth of clothing for local children in need. More info here.

• Serve with the AFYA Foundation in Yonkers. We welcome anyone, families and individuals, to come visit our Warehouse and help us sort, repurpose and pack medical and humanitarian equipment and supplies. 9/11 will live with us forever, let’s do our part to make sure the sentiment of unity lives on with it. More info here.

Monday, Sept. 9

• The ARC of Westchester empowers children, teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, to achieve their potential by strengthening families and encouraging personal choices, abilities and interests. Volunteers are needed to plant some fall foliage at our Hawthorne headquarters. Tasks include weeding, planting and watering. More info here.

• Come learn more about Meals on Wheels White Plains. New volunteers will be paired with long-term, experienced volunteers to deliver meals to residents of White Plains who are in need of a healthy meal. More info here.

Tuesday, Sept. 10

• Volunteers are needed to help beautify and restore the 47 acre campus of the Rye Nature Center. Jobs include trail maintenance, habitat restoration and gardening. More info here.

• Join us at the White Plains YMCA to help make thank you/recognition cards for our public safety personnel. Cards will be made by our preschool and pre-K children ages 3-5 years old. Volunteers will work with staff to explain what public safety personnel do and lead the group in a discussion about their role in our community. Cards will be hand delivered by the children on 9/11. More info here.

• The AFYA of Yonkers welcomes anyone, families and individuals, to come visit our Warehouse and help us sort, repurpose and pack medical and humanitarian equipment and supplies. 9/11 will live with us forever, let’s do our part to make sure the sentiment of unity lives on with it. More info here.

Wednesday, Sept. 11

• You are invited to participate in the Blood Drive conducted by Hudson Valley Blood Services at the Westchester County Center on Wednesday, September 11th, 9am - 4pm. Donations are scheduled every 15 minutes, with the last appointment scheduled for 3:45pm. More info here.

• Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry invites people to write thank you letters to those in uniform. By simply telling our nation’s heroes how much we appreciate them for protecting and serving our country, we can make their jobs that much more rewarding. Join us as we write personal letters to our troops and local police officers expressing our gratitude. More info here.

• Let's Play It Forward is collecting new and gently used soccer and baseball equipment in the months of September and October with a special collection on Wednesday, September 11th at Kensico Dam Plaza (Valhalla, NY) from noon until 6:30pm. Collected equipment will be sent to U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan through Operation Give and given to children in the communities where they serve. The equipment helps the military build bridges and span cultural differences.  More info here.

• Help The Volunteer Center kick start literacy at the Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla by creating sight word and math fact flashcards for elementary school students. Flashcards will go to students through their schools and after school programs. More info here.

• Help replenish HOPE Community Services' Food Pantry by donating food at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla today that will be handed out to needy families. More info here.

• The Dominican College community will "adopt" a deployed U.S. military soldier for the year, through "Homefront Hugs." We will hold a supply drive beforehand, and collect items that soldiers wish for during deployment. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to write letters to include in the care packages and send them out periodically throughout the year. This event will take place immediately following our 9/11 memorial on campus. More info here.

For all of these options: Register online and in advance. Questions?  Call The Volunteer Center at (914) 948-4452 or email volunteer@volunteer-center.org.