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Community Corner

Give time in remembrance of 9/11

Volunteer opportunities abound in and around Smyrna for the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance.

My Good Deed Inc. and HandsOn Network are asking Americans to donate their time to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11 this weekend as part of the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance.

The 9/11 Day observance officially began in 2002 when David Paine and his friend Jay Winuk wanted to honor their friend and brother Glenn Winuk a volunteer firefighter who died trying to save people from the World Trade Center’s south tower. Paine and Winuk formed the non-profit group One Day’s Pay, which would eventually be renamed My Good Deed Inc. This year, the group has partnered with HandsOn Network to co-lead what they hope to be the largest day of charitable service in the history of the United States.

Obsorne High School and Communities in Schools have answered the call. Volunteers from both groups will launch an “Extreme Osbourne Makeover” Saturday, Sept. 10 as part of the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance. The makeover includes the creation of an outdoor classroom, a fruit orchard, plant beds and painting of campus buildings.

There are other ways to get involved this weekend and beyond. Hands On Atlanta is hosting more than 100 volunteer activities throughout greater Atlanta this weekend. One of them is a service day at the Smyrna-based non-profit Books for Africa Saturday, Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

is also looking for volunteers to offer time in its Canton, Marietta and Smyrna locations. Help is needed in various areas ranging from clerical work to client intake to restocking shelves in the food pantry.

Smyrna-Vinings Patch and its work with MUST Ministries’ Meals on a Mission program. Now Path to Shine is looking for mentors and tutors for its weekly after-school program. Interested volunteers must submit a background check and Safeguarding God’s Children training before they can volunteer. For information, contact Lesley-Ann Drake at 678-279-4308.

Pledge volunteer hours now for the Spooktacular Chase 5K through downtown Smyrna, a fundraising event for Vision Rehabilition Services of Georgia. VRS is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting individuals who are blind or visually impaired so they may function safely and independently. The Spooktacular Chase is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22. Registration begins at 7 a.m. at Cobb Park across the street from . For information on how to volunteer call 770-432-7280.

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