Riverside Citywide Never Forget 9-11 Day of Service to Honor First Responders
Published: 08/26/19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Aug. 26, 2019
Contact:
Phil Pitchford
Public Information Officer
951-826-5975
Riverside Citywide Never Forget 9-11 Day of Service to Honor First Responders
Annual event offers chance to serve community while remembering 2001 attacks
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The City of Riverside will remember the Sept. 11 attacks and honor our first responders during the annual Riverside Citywide Never Forget 9-11 Day of Service that starts with an opening ceremony in downtown Riverside and concludes with an event at La Sierra University.
Community members are invited to attend either or both of the free events. They also can participate in one-hour clean-up events that will be held Sept. 3-11; volunteer to help the American Red Cross install smoke alarms from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 7; or give blood from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 11.
“This annual event is an opportunity for our community to come together each year and thank our first responders while also remembering those fellow Americans who perished on that awful day,” Mayor Rusty Bailey said. “From the Riversiders who responded to Ground Zero immediately after the attacks to the first responders who help us to this day, we are grateful for their service and sacrifice.”
The Riverside Fire Department is a member of California Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 6, which responded to Ground Zero in New York following the terrorist attacks, and helped with the recovery and clean-up effort. The task force also includes fire personnel from Cal Fire, and the Corona, Hemet, Norco, Murrieta and Palm Springs Fire Departments, civilian K9 handlers, and structural and medical specialists.
Riverside Fire Chief Michael Moore and Police Chief Sergio Diaz will offer reflections at both the opening and closing ceremonies. Mayor Rusty Bailey and Councilmember Jim Perry will welcome attendees in the morning, and Perry will offer remarks at the closing ceremony.
People will begin gathering for the opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. in the breezeway area of Riverside City Hall, 3900 Main Street. The opening ceremony will begin at 9:11 a.m. First responder luncheons will be held across the city at noon, with meals provided by sponsors in partnership with Councilmembers Perry and Mike Gardner. Closing ceremonies will begin at 5:30 p.m. at La Sierra University, 4500 Riverwalk Parkway.
“We always have a great response to our Citywide Day of Service, and I am sure this year will be no different,” Perry said. “Our partners, including businesses and non-profit organizations, make all of this possible, and we thank them for that.”
A major part of the event is the service component. For those who wish to donate blood on Sept. 11, LifeStream will be set up at Riverside City Hall, 3900 Main Street, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For details, visit LStream.org or contact LifeStream at 800-879-4484. To volunteer to help the American Red Cross install smoke alarms from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 7, click on TinyURL.com/2019SoundtheAlarmSept7 or call 888-831-0031, ext. 2013. Volunteer clean-up teams are encouraged to organize an hour of service with friends and co-workers, then connect with the event at RiversideCA.gov/SocialMedia and share photos with the hashtags #Riverside911DayofService and/or #ILoveRiverside.
“This event is an opportunity each year to remember, but also look forward,” said Gardner, who sits on the organizing committee with Perry. “I encourage all residents of Riverside to get involved.”
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