The City of Riverside is inviting members of the community to remember the September 11th terrorist attacks by honoring first responders at the annual Riverside Citywide Never Forget 9-11 Day of Service, as well as by participating in other service events that will take place that week, including clean-up events, smoke alarm installation, and blood donation.
The event on September 11th starts with an opening ceremony in the breezeway of Riverside City Hall in downtown Riverside, at 9:11am. The event will conclude with an event at La Sierra University in Riverside at 5:30pm. Riverside Fire Chief Michael Moore and Police Chief Sergio Diaz will speak at both the opening and closing ceremonies. Mayor Rusty Bailey and Councilmember Jim Perry will be on-hand for the morning ceremony, and Perry will be present at the closing ceremony. First responder luncheons will be offered across the city at noon.
“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,” Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey said in a press release. “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.”
Mayor Bailey was referencing Rescue Task Force 6, of which the Riverside Fire Department is a member, aiding in the recovering and clean-up effort at Ground Zero in New York. Cal Fire, and the Corona, Hemet, Norco, Murrieta, and Palm Springs Fire Departments are also part of the task force, which also includes civilian canine handlers, and structural and medical specialists.
Community members are invited to attend those free events, as well as participate in one-hour clean-up events held September 3rd-11th, or by helping the American Red Cross install smoke alarms from 7:30am - 2pm on Saturday, September 7th, or by donating blood to Lifestream, our local blood bank, from 11am to 5pm on September 11th at City Hall.
“We always have a great response to our Citywide Day of Service, and I am sure this year will be no different,” Perry added. “Our partners, including businesses and non-profit organizations, make all of this possible, and we thank them for that.”
To make an appointment to donate blood, please call LifeStream at 800-879-4484, or visit them at LStream.org. To volunteer with the American Red Cross smoke alarm installation, please call 888-831-0031, ext. 2013. Groups of friends, co-workers, etc. who want to help with clean-up are encouraged to organize an hour of service, then connect with RiversideCA.gov/SocialMedia and post photos using the hashtags #Riverside911DayofService and/or #ILoveRiverside.
“This event is an opportunity each year to remember, but also look forward,” says Councilmember Mike Gardner. “I encourage all residents of Riverside to get involved.”