THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE CAN BE SEEN HERE.

WATCH A VIDEO ON THE IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTEERISM HERE.

VNYLatimerSMALLERAugust 28, 2018 – In honor of those whose lives were lost or forever changed by the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Westchester County Executive George Latimer will join with Volunteer New York! to host “9/11: Serve + Remember.” An official announcement took place today with County Executive Latimer, Volunteer New York! Executive Director Alisa H. Kesten, White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, Board of Legislators Chairman Ben Boykin and Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino at “The Rising” 9/11 memorial at Kensico Dam Plaza. This is also the site of the County’s annual 9/11 memorial service. 

Volunteer opportunities will be taking place on Saturday, September 8, Sunday, September 9 and Tuesday, September 11, 2018. The community-wide action event is sponsored by Robison Oil, with additional support from Empire City Casino and Westchester Medical Center. Service projects at the Westchester County Center will take place on September 11, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Latimer said: “The County is proud to be partnering with Volunteer New York! on the 9/11: Serve + Remember program. This is an opportunity to do something positive, to give back something on a day where we lost so much. All of us should find some time that day to remember the fallen and do some type of service – and that is exactly what this program will allow County residents to do.”

Executive Director of Volunteer New York! Alisa H. Kesten said: “This is the eighth year we have worked to bring together the community to honor the heroic intentions and innocent lives lost on September 11 by volunteering together. This would not be possible without the help and encouragement from many wonderful partners who illisuarte how volunteerism brings together all sectors – business, non-profit and government to create resilient communities.”

In response to the events of September 11, Fred Rogers returned to broadcasting with a message meant to help youth respond to and process tragedy. He empathized with a lesson he learned from his mother, “Look for the helpers, you will always find people who are helping.”  This year’s #911Day event has a special focus on the helpers that emerge in times of crises, or who volunteer their time every day to do good in the face of injustice and inequality.

Many volunteer opportunities are family-friendly, and all will help support one of 35 local non-profits and causes where helpers are needed throughout the year. To participate, volunteers must register through www.volunteernewyork.org/service or call (914) 948-4452 for more information.

Westchester County will also host its annual employee blood drive in partnership with the New York Blood Center on Monday, September 11, at the County Center. To sign up or learn more, please contact Janet Lokay at or (914) 995-2127.

Volunteer Opportunities at the Westchester County Center on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 are as follows:

  • Donate Blood from 9am-4pm (for ages 16+)
  • 12-1pm, 2-3:30pm & 4-5:30pm Create Inspirational Cards For Deployed Service Members with United For The Troops
  • 12-1pm & 2-3:30pm Create Math Kits for Head Start Early Learners
  • 12-1pm Recycle old t-shirts to create dog toys for shelter dogs in support of SPCA of Westchester
  • 2-3:30pm & 4-5:30pm Make PB&J Sandwiches for local food shelters with One Sandwich at a Time
  • 2-3:30pm & 4-5:30pm Package diapers and support families with Westchester County Diaper Bank and Junior League of Central Westchester
  • 2-3:30pm Create Literacy Puppets to support youth development with WestCOP
  • 2-3:30pm & 4-5:30pm Create Therapy Pillows for people with Autism
  • 2-3:30pm Create blankets for youth in hospitals with Westchester-Rockland Project Linus
  • 2-3:30pm Create laundry sachets for formerly homeless women with YWCA White Plains

For the complete list of the 2018 #911Day Volunteer Opportunities taking place on September 8, 9 and 11 please visit www.volunteernewyork.org/service or call 914-948-4452.

With thanks for the additional media sponsorship provided by K-LOVE Radio.

About Volunteer New York!

The core mission of Volunteer New York! (volunteernewyork.org) is to inspire, mobilize, and equip individuals and groups to take positive action to address pressing challenges, support non-profits and improve the quality of life in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam. For more than 68 years the organization has encouraged adults to serve, youth to build character, families to bond, young professionals to lead, mature adults to share their wisdom and businesses to engage through volunteerism. 

Last year Volunteer New York! helped coordinate over 285,000 hours of service, which were devoted to over 500 nonprofits at a value of $8.1 million. The Corporate Champions who strongly support the mission of Volunteer New York! include: AzkoNobel, Bunge Limited, MasterCard, PepsiCo, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., The Journal News and Lohud.com, Con Edison, Empire City Casino, Keystone Property Group, K-LOVE Radio, M&T Bank, Morgan Stanley, Sterling National Bank, TD Bank, The Dannon Company, NewYork-Presbyterian, PCSB Bank, PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP, RNN & The French Family, Robison Oil Corporation, Chubb Insurance, Entergy, IBM, MAG Real Estate Advisors, Inc., Pentegra Retirement Services, LLP, Reckson – a division SL Green Realty Corp., RPW Group, Webster Bank,  The Affinity Group, LLC, The Westchester Bank, Westchester Medical Center, Westmed Medical Group, and Whiff Away. With ongoing support from Westchester Community Foundation, Westchester County, Corporation for National & Community Service, and the New York State Commission on National and Community Service.

Follow @volunteerNYnow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and volunteer opportunities in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam.