This Sunday commemorates the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, an event that shook the nation. On Sunday we will remember and reflect on the attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives. The day has been marked as a federally-recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance since 2002. Family members and support groups created the day as a way to honor the memory of those who lost their lives and promote unity. In many towns and cities across the United States, there are a multitude of ways you can remember, serve, and honor. See below for some things you can do to help in your community.
Create Care Packages
Everyone can use a helping hand so get together with friends, family, neighbors and members of your community, like our homeowners in Lititz did, to build care packages for those in need. 
You could create care packages that include toiletries, one dedicated to non-perishable foods, or a combination of both. The sky’s the limit! There are a variety of organizations that accept care packages. Here are a few links to get you started:
Forgotten Soldiers Outreach Inc.
Host a Clothing Drive
Many of us have clothes in our closets that are just taking up space and rarely or never worn. Collect those old outfits, box them up and find a place to donate them! This is a great activity to get the community involved in. Just chose a charity like Purple Heart or The Salvation Army to donate to and have your friends, family and neighbors pack up their old clothes and drop them off with you. Many organizations that collect clothing will pick up the boxes for free. What are you waiting for? Here is a great guide to having your clothing drive go off without a hitch.
Send Letters to Soldiers Overseas
It is difficult being away from home and it’s especially hard to be a soldier stationed away from home, but you can help to ease the burden! Websites like Operation Gratitude take the time to create care packages for thousands of Deployed Troops, New Recruits, Veterans, and Wounded Heroes. In those packages are letters of appreciation. Members of the military look forward to those letters the most out of these packages. Each care package that Operation Gratitude sends includes at least 5 letters. So get out a pen and paper and start writing!
Host a Children’s Book Drive
Organizations like Reading Partners dedicate their time to providing children with reading material to support their learning. The books donated go directly to students for their own personal libraries. At Reading Partners volunteer tutors work one-on-one with students twice a week to better their reading skills using books through donations. The organization partners with low-income schools to help provide a better educational experience for students. Click here to learn more about hosting a book drive.
Sew Pillowcases for Pediatric Patients
Hospital stays are no fun, but you can help brighten a child’s stay by providing them with a colorful pillowcase. Our Traditions of America community at Silver Spring made 200 colorful pillowcases for the patients at Milton S. Hershey Hospital for Pediatric Cancer patients. The event was a huge success and is something that will make young patients smile. The Silver Spring community made enough to last the hospital two weeks.
Stuffed Animals for Emergencies
Unfortunately sometimes kids are rescued from traumatic and emotional situations. Donating stuffed animals to a local firehouse or police station can help to make a scary situation a little less scary. When answering a call firefighters and police officers can provide these stuffed animals to children. A stuffed animal can help young children feel safe. Stuffed Animals for Emergencies, Inc. ensures that children in hospitals, homeless shelters, and emergency situations receive the toys in addition to blankets, books and clothing.
September 11th is a great opportunity to remember and get together with friends and family to pay tribute by helping others. Visit a Traditions of America Community this weekend and see what community service projects homeowners have planned.
By Powell Davis, Marketing Coordinator
