Saturday, September 10, 2011

President Obama Designates September 11th As a National Day of Service and Remembrance

September 11 - Hope & Renewal
#10 in an 11-Day Memorial Series of Posts

This is the tenth post reflecting on 9/11 in MBE's special 11 Days of September memorial series focusing on all the ways hope and renewal have emerged from this great tragedy.

Today I found an uplifting email in my box from President Barack Obama announcing that tomorrow, September 11th, has been designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. The President, First Lady and their daughters will be participating in various service and charity projects this weekend to reaffirm our nation's strength. He invites us all to follow that example and do the same.

My Kids on a Visit to the Nation's Capitol Some Years Ago
Vintage Photo, Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com


Here is an extract from the official White House correspondence I received:

Tomorrow, on the tenth anniversary of the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, we will mourn the innocent lives lost, honor the heroic first responders who rushed to the scene, and pay tribute to our troops and military families who have served over the past ten years to keep us safe and strong.

But, I also hope you'll remember how the worst terrorist attack in American history brought out the best in the American people. From giving blood, volunteering time,and donating clothing, food and money, in the weeks and months after the attacks,we were united as a nation, everyone doing their part to lend a hand and help the country move forward together.

With just a small act of service, or a simple act of kindness towards others, you can both honor those we lost and those who serve us still, and help us recapture the spirit of generosity and compassion that followed 9/11.

As a family my kids, hubbie and I always seem to be involved in community service projects. In fact, I'm an advocate of teaching kids how to give back to the local communities where they live.  We are definitely parents and children who volunteer together.  Even if you don't have time during the rest of the year, consider getting involved in something tomorrow in your local community to make the world a better place.

Opportunities to help others abound and there is something that every American can find to do. Join the President and my family and participate in this National Day of Service.  Check the Serve.gov website for what's going on in your backyard and how you can help. I just looked up my own area and was surprised to see about 3500 opportunities near where I live that need some help tomorrow.

Here is how that email closes...

This weekend, I encourage all Americans to remember not only the innocent lives we lost on that day, but to remember the ordinary goodness and patriotism of the American people and the spirit of unity that brought us together during the days and weeks after the attacks of September 11th.  

Sincerely,
President Barack Obama

Don't miss the other posts in this unique Mommy Blogger
September 11th Memorial
Series of Hope & Renewal
Thursday, September 1, 2011 - Imagery of a Pink Hand Bag
Friday, September 2, 2011 – Life is Too Short After 9/11 Book Review
Saturday, September 3, 2011 – Charity Event Fitting Memorial to 9/11
Sunday, September 4, 2011 – Songs & Music Inspired by 9/11
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 – Teaching Kids from K-12 About 9/11
Thursday, September 8, 2011 –  9/11 Acknowledged by Fashion's Night Out


Please Comment
What are you and/or your kids doing in your local community to help for National Day of Service and Remembrance?





FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.
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Friday, September 9, 2011

Free 9/10 Public Kid's Readathon at World Trade Center Heralds Hope & Literacy

September 11 - Hope & Renewal
#9 in an 11-Day Memorial Series of Posts

In this post reflecting on 9/11 in MBE's special 11 Days of September memorial series, hope and renewal have emerged among families and children. A special read-a-thon educational event for under served local NYC children -- which is also free and open to the public -- takes place tomorrow ahead of Sunday's memorial at the World Trade Site in New York. This activity for children and families is noteworthy because it will celebrate hope and the positive, transformative power of literacy. 
A former WTC steel support to be dedicated on 9/11 in Beverly Hills
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

It is also fitting, considering that the foundation organizing this event is honoring its namesake -- a victim of the terrorist attack 10 years ago.  I can't think of a more appropriate public activity as this considering that 3,052 children -- with an average age of 9 years old -- lost a mom or dad on that fateful Tuesday in 2001. Also that President George W. Bush was reading to young kids in a Florida classroom when he first received word of the terrorist attack.
A child in California who lost his dad on 9/11 drew this picture
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

The Brooke Jackman Foundation Read-a-thon scheduled from 10 am - Noon on Saturday, September 10 is the only event by an outside organization occurring inside the World Financial Center during the upcoming memorial weekend.  Guest readers and performers include many well-known names in the entertainment business as well as various children's authors and New York City personalities. 

Organizers expect this to be not only an afternoon of educational fun but also a celebration of literacy and hope. The event, hosted by Arts World Financial, will take place at the World Financial Center Winter Garden, 220 Vesey Street in New York City. The location provides up-close views of the progress taking place on the future Freedom Tower.

This is the 2nd annual read-a-thon for The Brooke Jackman Foundation that was founded in memory of Brooke Jackman, a 23-year-old avid reader who was killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks before achieving her dream of becoming a social worker. 
Since 2001, the organization has donated over a hundred thousand books as well as 10,000 Brooke Packs filled with school supplies to families in need. The group has also founded four libraries, as well multiple after school literacy programs at sites across the five boroughs of New York.

Don't miss the other posts in this unique Mommy Blogger
September 11th Memorial
Series of Hope & Renewal
Thursday, September 1, 2011 - Imagery of a Pink Hand Bag
Friday, September 2, 2011 – Life is Too Short After 9/11 Book Review
Saturday, September 3, 2011 – Charity Event Fitting Memorial to 9/11
Sunday, September 4, 2011 – Songs & Music Inspired by 9/11
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 – Teaching Kids from K-12 About 9/11
Thursday, September 8, 2011 –  9/11 Acknowledged by Fashion's Night Out


Please Comment
What ideas do you have to share about helping children, both those who were young kids in 2001 and future generations, to find hope after such a national tragedy?


FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.
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Thursday, September 8, 2011

References to 9/11 Everywhere Among Retailers at Fashion's Night Out 2011

September 11 - Hope & Renewal
#8 in an 11-Day Memorial Series of Posts

This is the eighth post reflecting on 9/11 in MBE's special 11 Days of September memorial series pointing out the various ways hope and renewal has emerged from this great tragedy.
Though this Thursday evening, September 8th, was festive, acknowledgments of the forthcoming 10th anniversary of September 11th by the fashion industry were present at Fashion Night Out 2011.  At Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills the catwalk fashion show culminated with a grouping of female and male models wearing different outfits in red, white, and blue.

Guess Beverly Hills, FNO Neon Sign

Also, at Brooks Brothers in Beverly Hills, a classic commemorative tie is being sold with 100% of net sales going to the 9/11 Memorial.  These are just two of the many examples of how retail businesses are remembering this great tragedy in their own way, while at the same time looking forward, upbeat and positive with renewed hope for the future.
Neiman Marcus FNO Runway Show

My 14 year old daughter and I attended Fashion Night Out in Beverly Hills, California, but Fashion's Night Out 2011 was a huge worldwide shopping event with activities elsewhere around Southern California.  In fact, a total of 250 cities around the U.S. also participated -- with 1,178 retailers in New York City alone. That's not even to mention the other 18 countries such as Greece, UK, Japan, China, Brazil, France, South Korea, and others  -- also involved in this year's event which is intended to stimulate consumer spending worldwide.

Brooks Brothers Ties Benefiting the 9/11 Memorial

Don't miss the other posts in this unique Mommy Blogger
September 11th Memorial
Series of Hope & Renewal
Thursday, September 1, 2011 - Imagery of a Pink Hand Bag
Friday, September 2, 2011 – Life is Too Short After 9/11 Book Review
Saturday, September 3, 2011 – Charity Event Fitting Memorial to 9/11
Sunday, September 4, 2011 – Songs & Music Inspired by 9/11
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 – Teaching Kids from K-12 About 9/11
Thursday, September 8, 2011 –  9/11 Acknowledged by Fashion's Night Out


Please Comment
What things have you noticed that retailers and businesses are doing to acknowledge September 11th? Please share your thoughts.




FTC Disclosure: I attended Fashion's Night Out in Beverly Hills and on Rodeo Drive and enjoyed a variety of entertainment and refreshments in various shops in this upscale shopping district. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.
No comments:
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