United Way of Greater Williamsburg

September 11, 2002

What a beautiful day it was, the sun shining and the people smiling. It was going to be a gorgeous day, there was plenty of fruit and bottles of water provided by The Health Foundation for the volunteers to take with them as they went off to work in the community. Coffee donated by Starbucks, donuts from Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Creme, and of course, the bagels from Big Apple Bagel. Orange juice and water were provided by Farm Fresh.

(Williamsburg Health Foundation)

We dedicated this year's efforts to the memory of those who lost their lives in the 9-11 national tragedy last year. Our annual Day of Caring was a Day of Caring, Remembrance and Healing. Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums proceeded into the area followed by the presentation of colors by Honor Guard from VFW Post 4639 under Command of Tom Coll, LTC US Army (Ret.). The ceremony began with the Fifes and Drum playing the National Anthem and the crowd sang along.

Colin Campbell, president of Colonial Williamsburg, welcomed everyone with a very moving speach.

Roxann Norman gave the following speach -

"As we gather today to celebrate our Day of Caring we are mindful that today is the 1st anniversary of the September 11th tragedy. Although this tragedy left our country in a state of devastation, through those trials and moments of pain, our country stood together and helped one another. On this Day of Caring, our responsibility is to continue that selfless act of love and pass on the comfort."

"As I look around and gaze at the many people who are gathered here today to help out in this time of need, I am reminded of these 5 promises:

* I will do more than belong, I will participate.

* I will do more than care, I will help.

* I will do more than dream, I will work.

* I will do more than give, I will serve.

* I will do more than be friendly, I will be a friend.

This year we dedicate our Day of Caring as a day of healing, remembrance and caring. Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away! The unselfish giving of your time today is one of those moments. Lets share our abundance more generously, because it may be more important than ever that we remember and observe the traditions that embody the best of who we are."

"Thank you for caring so much and giving so abundantly."

(Mike Hartmann introducing Mayor Jean Zeidler)

Honorable Jeanne Zeidler, Mayor of the City of Williamsburg proclaimed the day the official "Day of Caring, Healing and Remembrance"

At 8:46 we had a moment of silence in honor of the anniversary of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center.

Everyone disbursed for the day's activities.

At the end of the day, all volunteers gathered at the Historic Triangle Community Service Building to share their day's experiences and enjoy a dinner provided in-kind by Outback Steak House and Ben& Jerry's. There will be a program to close the day's activities with special recognitions and a time for remembrance.

The Campaign was officially began with the announcement that the Pacesetter's had collected 33% of this years goal of

$1,594,000.00

MEET OUR SPONSORS

Sample Projects That Took Place on September 11th, 2002

Red Cross blood drive at the United Way offices from 1pm to 5pm

Volunteers from Colonial Williamsburg and Williamsburg Community Hospital helped to landscape the gardens at the Avalon Shelter

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Team Photo and Williamsburg Community Hosptial Volunteers at Avalon

More volunteers at Avalon

Volunteers from Ball Metal helped to paint the lobby, hallway and an interior room at Bacon Street

Students from Lafayette High School and volunteers from Colonial Williamsburg were at CDR helping the children with their activities and putting together projects for the children to work on.

Volunteers from Anheuser Busch will be putting together 2 sandboxes at CDR

Volunteers from BB&T helped with other projects at CDR such as repairing equipment in the play yard, repairing and repainting equipment and putting together new equipment.

Volunteers from Kingsmill helped out at the Salvation Army and Grove Outreach Center.

Kingsmill Group Photo

Volunteers from Walmart Import Center and the Buffalo Boyz helped out at Grove Recreation Center with landscaping, painting lines on the parking lot and painting inside.

Volunteers from Kyoto and Colonial Williamsburg heled out at Hospice House with yard work, washing windows and other outdoor jobs.

Volunteers from the City of Williamsburg assisted the Heritage Humane Society with weeding, mulching and other landscaping services at the HHS building.

Volunteers from Chesapeake Bank and workers from Colonial Services Board had a : Hot dog/hamburger and bake sale infront of Chesapeake Bank.

Volunteers from James City County Lions Club assisted Housing Partnerships with repairing a moblie home - interior floor work and wall repairs.

James City County Lions Club working with Housing Partnerships

BP Solar and Ramada Inn, Daily Press, Taylored Printing and Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists volunteers helped Housing Partnerships with mobile home repairs - fixing walls, installing hand rails, cleaning and painting.

Daily Press Group Photo

Volunteers from Ramada In 1776 and Christian Life Center assisted Meals on Wheels with delivering meals to the homebound.

Volunteers from Target assisted the Salvation Army.

Volunteers from Williamsburg Regional Library worked at Just Perfect Seconds assisting the store with donations, sorting, cleaning, merchandising, straightening, moving/arranging furniture, pickup furniture at storage unit and move to store.

Volunteers from Williamsburg Regional Library Group Photo

Students from Lafayette High School were at Head Start.

Volunteers from Landmark Design Group were at YMCA.

Volunteers from Ukrops were be at the York River State Park.

Volunteers from the Williamsburg Landing assisted United Way of Greater Williamsburg with the Citizens Mailings - every Thursday in August they helped with stuffing envelopes and folding letters. Varous other volunteers assisted with additional citizens mailings on Day of Caring.

(volunteer from The Landings helping to stuff envelopes for the citizens mailing)

Plus many many more volunteers from area business' such as Bank of America, Chesapeake Bank, W&M CVC Committee, Williamsburg Garden Club, James City County, JCC Rescue Squad, and many more, assisted with various projects around the community.

Over 700 volunteers at over 50 projects created over 5,000 volunteer hours.

THANK YOU

Also on this special day of caring, remembrance and healing, 3 memorial benches were placed at three elementary schools - James River, Matthew Whaley and Waller Mill. The benches were placed somewhere in the school where the children would be able to enjoy them, along with a live oak tree planted near the bench.