City of Riverside’s Never Forget 9-11 Day of Service Goes Virtual
Published: 09/09/20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 9, 2020
Contact:
Phil Pitchford
Public Information Officer
951-826-5975
City of Riverside’s Never Forget 9-11 Day of Service Goes Virtual
Neighborhood clean-ups, a blood drive and disaster preparedness education are planned
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Riverside Citywide Never Forget 9-11 Day of Service is virtual this year so that Riverside residents can remember fallen heroes and honor our first responders without putting themselves at risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus.
Options include organizing a neighborhood clean-up, donating blood and scheduling a virtual preparedness presentation with the American Red Cross. As in past years, participants in this year’s socially-distanced event at encouraged to share their efforts with the rest of the city through social media.
A new video recapping in-person activities from previous years and featuring new, pre-recorded content will be released on Sept. 11. That video, featuring musical performances and recorded messages of thanks, and including archival footage of Riverside’s first responders at Ground Zero in New York, is available HERE.
“Our commitment to remembering those who lost their lives on that terrible day and our eagerness to honor our first responders remains the same, but our method of expressing those values has changed this year,” Mayor Rusty Bailey said. “I look forward to seeing Riversiders remember 9-11 in a thoughtful and responsible way.”
Neighborhood clean-ups can be scheduled in cooperation with Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful (KCRB) by visiting https://forms.gle/LEZpie5z8k4oVvHR6 and registering. Crews – either a family or a small group of eight or less -- should wear a face covering and maintain six feet of physical distancing. KCRB will provide supplies and safety materials.
Blood donations can be scheduled with LifeStream Blood Bank at www.LStream.org/Riverside by entering the code GCRC at check-in.
The American Red Cross will conduct a virtual preparedness presentation to schools, community groups and other organizations. Presentations can be scheduled by contacting Kimberly Aufrecht, Preparedness Manager, at: [email protected] or by calling (714) 313 5440.
The American Red Cross also is making available a 60-Second Home Fire Preparedness Video -- https://vimeo.com/230633786 -- for viewing at any time.
Volunteers who organize the event every year already have placed ribbons on every police and fire facility within the city, thanking first responders for their efforts and encouraging them to stay safe.
“Our citywide remembrance event endures even in the face of the pandemic,” City Councilmember Jim Perry, one of the co-creators of the event, said. “My thanks to all the organizations and volunteers who persevered in the face of challenging circumstances.”
Photos from the Riverside Citywide Never Forget 9-11 Day of Service can be viewed by following the City of Riverside’s social media feeds at RiversideCA.gov/SocialMedia. Participants can share their photos by tagging them with #Riverside911DayofService or #ILoveRiverside.
For the latest information and resources regarding COVID-19 -- www.RiversideCA.gov/COVID-19
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