Volunteer Opportunities Abound in St. Charles in Honor of 9/11

As the 10-year anniversary of 9/11 arrives, the United Way of Greater St. Louis has set a challenge: be a hero through service to your community.

The United Way's tribute is through a National Day of Service and Remembrance. All week, the United Way and its agencies will be in St. Louis area communities helping in some way, whether it's cleaning up a cemetery, picking up trash or helping senior citizens with home repairs.

"We have 140 projects throughout the region in a 10-day span," said Evan Krauss, the United Way's volunteer center manager. "We can take as many as 2,000 volunteers on Sept. 10 and 11, especially."

One large scale project related directly to 9/11 is a flag remembrance at Art Hill in Forest Park. More than 3,000 flags will set in the ground to represent people who died as a result of the attacks. Krauss said a big community effort is needed for that to happen.

"We need people to help hammer in the flags on Sept. 10," he said. "We are really needing volunteers for this.

"There will be a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. on 9/11 at the exact time the planes hit the Twin Towers."

If you'd like to help, you can sign up for service projects, view events, and join the 9/11 community blog. For those who have their own service projects in mind, there's a United Way tool kit for support.

Below is a listing of just a few of the projects you can help with. The United Way's website has a listing of more if you'd like to find a project in your area. If you would like to more information about the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, email Remember@stl.unitedway.org.

Assist Adults with Developmental Disabilities with Craft Project at Emmaus Homes, 6 p.m. Friday
Project Summary: Emmaus Homes provides services to enhance the quality of life for adults of all beliefs who have cognitive, intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Volunteers will assist adults with developmental disabilities to place miniature American flags near mailboxes or porches of Emmaus Homes residents living on the St. Charles campus and in the community. Volunteers will also assist with making greeting cards to send to the military. Following the activities, refreshments will be provided and participants and residents will reflect on 'what is patriotism?' Volunteers must be at least 8 years old. Volunteers up to age 16 must be accompanied by parent. Click here to register

9/11 Parade and Remembrance Activities at Crisis Nursery St. Charles on 9 a.m. Sept. 10
Project Summary: We serve children ages newborn to 12 years old. We will have a parade down Main Street in St. Charles (weather permitting). We will provide streamers, flags, etc. Volunteers will assist in running this parade and also will help the children with age appropriate activites such as coloring and activity sheets. A lot of our children will be too young to understand 9/11 but we will lead a conversation about America, policemen, fire fighters, etc.  
Volunteers must be older than 14. Click here to register

Collect Funds for Backstoppers at of St. Charles, 12 p.m. Sept. 10
Project Summary: The Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Charles County will be observing a Moment of Silence at each of our Football Games on September 10th. Volunteers will help Boys and Girls Club members collect donations for Backstoppers during each game. Volunteers must be older than 18. Click here to register

Youth Group Home Deep Clean/Repairs at Transitional Living Group Home in St. Charles, 10 a.m. Sept. 10
Project Summary: Volunteers will help deep clean and organize interior, touch up paint as necessary inside and outside, clean up outdoor landscaped areas. Youth In Need's Transitional Living Group Home serves runaway and homeless youth ages 16-21 providing a structured environment in which to learn the life skills necessary to live independently. Volunteers must be older than 14. Click here to register.