Written by: Shelley Gifford, Tomball Stake Communications Director
On the morning of Saturday, September 9th hundreds of volunteers from Magnolia, Tomball and the Spring/Klein woke up to early morning alarms to spend the day serving. It was the annual 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance with local projects happening at TEAM, Tomball Community Garden, Unity Park in Magnolia, Magnolia Helping Hands Garden and TOMAGWA.
In addition, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tomball hosted a service open house where volunteers could come and go to help tie blankets for Project Linus, decorate lunch sacks for Kids’ Meals of Montgomery, make cards for Operation Gratitude and donate and pack food basics for TEAM.
The projects were organized and posted on JustServe.com, an online platform for bringing together volunteers with organizations who are in need of volunteers. JustServe is a full coalition partner with the 9/11 Day Organization. The 9/11 Day Organization is a nonprofit whose mission is to inspire Americans to perform good deeds and other acts of service in tribute to those who bravely rose in response to the 9/11 attacks.
As one local first responder stated, “This September 11, 2023, I want to focus on the events after the tragedy of how we came together as a country to heal. And while the current trend of the media psyche seems fixated on our various differences and grievances with one another, I’d rather focus on our shared values and brilliance that unifies and gives the world an example of what’s possible.”
Community members who ranged from toddlers to retirees, gave over 500 hours of service of painting, cutting trees, hauling brush, weeding, tying blankets, coloring, delivering food donations and in other meaningful ways. Jason Beckstead, the local stake president for the Church stated, “We are grateful for the opportunities to serve alongside and to help support the wonderful nonprofit organizations that do so much good in our community. It is such a blessing to be part of a community where so many people are striving to love and serve one another.”
Save the date for next September to join in this worthwhile effort.
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