Red Cross Volunteers to Observe 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance

ALBANY, NY (September 10, 2014) -- To commemorate the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Red Cross volunteers are uniting with numerous other organizations to give back to their communities and pay tribute to those who served on September 11. "It's inspiring to see our community come together in service on 9/11," said Gary Striar, CEO of the American Red Cross Northeastern New York Region. "Red Cross volunteers were there to serve in the aftermath of the attacks, and we are honored to have so many volunteers serving now as we commemorate the 13th anniversary." Across the Northeastern New York Region, volunteers will support the following activities in observance of the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance: TOWN OF HALFMOON PATRIOT DAY CEREMONY Long-time Red Cross volunteer Tom Pillsworth, who served as a disaster responder at Ground Zero, will speak at the Town of Halfmoon's Patriot Day Ceremony at Abele Memorial Park on Thursday, September 11. Pillsworth is a U.S. Veteran and received the American Red Cross Legacy Award in 2013 in recognition of his outstanding service to our country. Additional Red Cross volunteers will be in attendance to help commemorate the anniversary of 9/11. The Patriot Day Ceremony will begin promptly at 6:30 P.M. NEW YORK STATE AMERICORPS MEMBER COMMUNITY SERVICE On September 11 and 12, AmeriCorps members from organizations across New York State, including the American Red Cross, will honor the memory of 9/11, kick off a new year of service and recognize the 20th anniversary of the AmeriCorps program with several community service activities. Hundreds of AmeriCorps members will have the opportunity to sign Red Cross "thank you for your service" cards over the course of these two days. The cards will then be distributed to those who have served - both on 9/11 and over the last 13 years - as members of the Armed Forces, firefighters, police officers and other first responders. SERVICES TO THE ARMED FORCES VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES Throughout the week leading up to 9/11, Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces volunteers are giving back to members of the military and local veterans by supporting the "Totes of Hope" and "Toys for Tots" programs. Volunteer groups have come together to package and distribute more than 850 totes filled with personal hygiene items for veterans in need, and are also helping to sort and prepare toys for the 2014 Toys for Tots campaign.