Friends,
This past weekend, Americans across the nation demonstrated the compassion, resilience, and unity that marked the way our citizens rallied together after September 11th nine years ago. For HandsOn Network, it was a day of extraordinary service, bringing people together, in unity, to help their communities. Here are just a few of the many highlights:
President Obama, paint roller in hand, energetically joined 80 other volunteers at our affiliate, Greater DC Cares, as they refurbished Ron Brown Middle School and sewed quilts for children whose parents are serving in the military overseas.
Vice President Joe Biden, his wife Dr. Jill Biden, and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks packed military care packages planned by MyGoodDeed and our affiliate New York Cares.
At the Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada, the Helping Heroes Project focused on assisting at-risk and homeless veterans, partnering with U.S. Vets, a local nonprofit that provides housing, job training and counseling.
In Olympia, Washington, hosted by the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties, hundreds of volunteers and their families shared a giant potluck in the blocked-off streets of the state capitol, and reflected on their service and remembrance of those lost on 9-11.
HandsOn Charlotte, N.C., managed projects for shelters, schools, and parks, and encouraged people, through an editorial, to create their own personal ways of honoring the day.
Boston Cares used the anniversary to launch a new program that will train volunteers in disaster response.
HandsOn Jacksonville partnered with a local university and sent 150 college students to participate in service projects focusing on the environment, education, and poverty.
In Brooklyn, NY, as part of Fidelity Investments’ partnership with HandsOn Network, volunteers from Fidelity and the community revitalized a middle school, creating active play areas and redesigning the cafeteria and entry.
These stories of activation and unity are emblematic of a nation that continues to turn tragedy into compassion.
HandsOn Network was honored that President Obama and Vice President Biden joined hands with other volunteers in celebration of service on this day. We look forward to continuing to tally the results and stories of this work in the coming weeks and to building upon the momentum of 9/11 as a Day of Service and Remembrance.
Yours in service,
Michelle Nunn
CEO, Points of Light Institute
by Jeff Parness, Founder, 
way of paying homage to Hagay, but I wanted to make a bigger statement that New Yorkers will never forget what people from small towns, and big cities, all across America did for us in our time of need.
I remember hand made signs seeking those who were missing. “Have you seen…?”
