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VOLUNTEER HOUSTON TO COORDINATE CITYWIDE DAY OF VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE ON 9/11

On the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, as a way to pay tribute to and remember the victims, people across the United States put aside their differences and work together to help others in need through volunteer service.

“This has become an annual ritual, a fitting and appropriate gift to the many who lost their lives and the countless others who were injured and the first responders who came to the aid of those in need,” explains Brooke Parkinson, Director of Volunteer Houston, a program of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston.

This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has made volunteering more challenging, though nonprofits need help more than ever. As a result, 9/11 Day will be a nationwide day of virtual volunteering. The goal of the project is to inspire one million good deeds done at home, in support of local causes, many of which relate to COVID-19 relief. This nationwide effort is being led by Points of Light, World Central Kitchen, and the Corporation for National and Community Service. As the local Points of Light affiliate in Greater Houston, Volunteer Houston will be leading the effort in our city.

On the first day of September, the 9/11 Day Foundation will unveil a well-curated list of more than 50 “good deeds” one can do for 9/11 Day that benefit nonprofits. Volunteer Houston will repost these in its local web portal for volunteers to browse. Once an individual or family completes their good deed, they are encouraged to post something about it on social media with the hashtag #911day to spread a message of hope and service.

September 1, Volunteer Houston will share 9/11 Day virtual volunteer opportunities through its web portal and will continue doing so through September 14. Individuals who volunteer one hour or more the week of September 11 and report their service on the Volunteer Houston web portal can earn a 9/11 Day Volunteer 2020 badge. Virtual projects may be done with friends, families and coworkers, and companies can encourage their employees to participate.

Participants are asked to pause for a moment of silence during their project to remember the victims of the 9/11 attack. For more information, visit www.volunteerhouston.org or contact Brooke Parkinson at bparkinson@imgh.org.

ABOUT VOLUNTEER HOUSTON AND INTERFAITH MINISTRIES FOR GREATER HOUSTON

Volunteer Houston is a program of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston (Interfaith Ministries). Since its inception in 1974, Volunteer Houston has been one of the city’s main referral services connecting individuals, groups and companies with nonprofit agencies to transform our community through volunteerism. Volunteer Houston, the Houston Points of Light affiliate, placed individuals in 17,000 volunteer opportunities in 2018 working with more than 350 nonprofit agencies. For more information, visit http://www.www.volunteerhouston.org.

A United Way agency, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston (Interfaith Ministries) brings people of diverse faith traditions together for dialogue, collaboration and service, as a demonstration of our shared beliefs. Interfaith Ministries provides four main services: Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston and Galveston County delivers more than two million meals each year to homebound seniors and people with disabilities across five counties; Refugee Services, in conjunction with the U.S. State Department, resettles hundreds of refugees in Houston; Interfaith Relations and Community Partnerships provides community services fostering understanding, respect and engagement among Houstonians of all faiths; and Volunteer Houston connects volunteers in transformative projects with area nonprofits. For more information, visit https://www.imgh.org/.