Residents looking to mark the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 through action rather than ceremony can sign up now for Westchester County's 9/11 Days of Service, a four-day volunteer push running Sept. 8–11 across four locations.

County Executive Ken Jenkins and Volunteer New York! announced the 16th annual program on Wednesday, Aug. 19, expanding it from a single day to four days for the milestone anniversary.

The most accessible option for Bronxville and Eastchester residents is the Thursday, Sept. 10, "Give Back Together" event at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, which offers three shift times: noon–1:30 p.m., 2:30–3:30 p.m. and 4:30–6 p.m.

Projects at that session include making no-sew scarves for the Westchester Continuum of Care for the Homeless, assembling mindfulness kits for Hope's Door, creating laundry sachets for Lifting Up Westchester, writing letters and making activity pouches for deployed troops, preparing sandwiches with One Sandwich at a Time and donating blood to the New York Blood Center.

On Friday, Sept. 11, volunteers at Monroe University will pack 50,000 meals in two shifts: 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1–2:30 p.m. A Wednesday, Sept. 9, youth session at Iona University runs 4:30–6 p.m.

The Tuesday, Sept. 8, event at Yonkers Partners in Education is exclusive to YPIE students and not open to the public.

Volunteer New York! Executive Director Polly Lagana described the intergenerational appeal of the events in an interview with CBS News: "Three-year-olds working on cards for the troops next to 80-year-olds who are making blankets for babies."

There are 111 names on Westchester County's 9/11 memorial at Kensico Dam Plaza, where the announcement was made. Jenkins said the expanded program is meant to channel the spirit of unity that followed the 2001 attacks into concrete community support.

Advanced registration is required. Individuals, families, groups and schools can sign up at volunteernewyork.org/serve. Robison is the lead sponsor for the 11th consecutive year, joined by Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, AmeriCorps, WMC Health and The Construction Industry Council.

Upcoming community dates:

  • Sept. 9 — Youth In Action volunteer session, Iona University, 4:30–6 p.m.
  • Sept. 10 — Give Back Together, Westchester County Center, White Plains (three shifts starting at noon)
  • Sept. 11 — Pack 50,000 Meals, Monroe University (two shifts starting at 11 a.m.)