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Volunteers Center of Bergen County suggests meaningful ways to mark anniversary

The Volunteers Center of Bergen County has some suggestions for those looking for simple but meaningful ways to mark the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The center suggests participating in the 9/11 National Day of Service, which encourages individuals, businesses, schools and other groups to participate in a day of service, charity and compassion.

The goal is to honor the victims, family members, survivors, rescue workers and volunteers by using the day to do something good for someone else.

"People can decide for themselves what they want their service to be," center Executive Director Janet Sharma said in a statement. "The principle is to help others in need."

The center has compiled a list of simple things people can do in their neighborhoods or towns. They include:

• Donate food to a food pantry
• Give blood
• Donate children's books to a Head Start center or library
• Get five names from your church, synagogue or town welfare director, and send cards or letters to people who are isolated or elderly
• Pick up litter in a park or along a sidewalk or roadway
• Join an area "Kids Care Club" to teach children about volunteering
• Pull weeds in a park or along a sidewalk
• Paint over graffiti (ask the building owner first!)
• Offer to run errands for someone who is not feeling well
• Bring cookies to a new neighbor
• Write letters of support to our men and women in the military
• Plant bulbs in a park
• Donate pet food to a pet shelter
• Arrange to read to children at a daycare center
• Make and deliver a floral or craft decoration to a senior center
• Make tray favors to be distributed to those who receive meals on wheels
• Offer to sweep a sidewalk or do some gardening for someone who is infirm
• Donate socks underwear, and other new items of clothing to a shelter

For those in the Bergen County area, the center has several ongoing programs that rely on volunteers and fir the theme of the day of service:

• Begin collecting money or toys for the Volunteer Center's Holiday Giving Program which kicks off in September
• Join the Volunteer Center's Chore program and perform minor home repairs to keep elderly and disabled people safe in their homes
• Become a mentor to a child, teen or adult through the Volunteer Center's Mentoring Programs

"Monetary donations to a worthy cause are also needed," Sharma said. "It's all about recreating the spirit of unity and compassion that was shared on 9/11."

The program has a national website where participants will be able to post information about good deeds, www.911dayofservice.org.

For information about the volunteer center and its activities, call (201) 489-4954.

— STAFF, NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM