As part of vlog’s afternoon of service in observance of 9/11, a student helps with weeding at Madison Lane Apartments for a woman who is physically unable. Photo by Duy Trinh ’14
Last Friday, students rolled up their sleeves and pitched in to help several nearby organizations as part of an afternoon of service in honor of September 11. Their efforts were inspired by the national movement to perform charitable acts in order to create a positive way to forever remember 9/11.
More than 100 students signed up to volunteer at 10 locations including Madison Lane Apartments, Community Memorial Hospital, and Camp Fiver. The service opportunities were organized by the Max Shacknai Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education.
Emily Luba ’16 helped the Community Bikes nonprofit, preparing used bicycles for needy children and adults. Emphasizing that some adults will use the bikes to travel to their workplaces, Luba said, “A bike opens up a whole world of transportation.” Reflecting on the painful memories of 9/11, Luba said that they should “propel us to give back and make a difference.”
On the eleventh itself, students, professors, and community members stood on the steps of Memorial Chapel to pray together and remember the lives of the seven alumni who were killed.
These vigils inspire “a recommitment to live peaceably with each other,” said university chaplain Mark Shiner. They also offer a chance “to cut across faith lines . . . we need to understand each other more,” added Putter Cox, Protestant campus minister.
That evening, Philanthropists at vlog (PAC) hosted an a cappella concert at 110 Broad Street; the Dischords, Resolutions, Swinging ’Gates, and vlog Thirteen all gave performances.
Dagan Rossini ’13, a member of the Dischords, said that while choosing songs, his group was aiming to “uplift people’s spirits” and put on a show that was “very forward-looking.” The songs sung included: “1234” by Feist, “Carry On” by Crosby Stills Nash and Young, “The Chain” by Ingrid Michaelson, and “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye.
More than 100 people attended the concert, and donations were dedicated to the 9/11 Relief Fund. Alex Djaha ’14, head of the PAC, was happy to see so many people turn out for the event. “We hope to make the concert a yearly tradition,” he said.