written by Laurie Herschman, Communications Manager, City Year Boston
“Imagine if the idea of service, love and giving were a part of all of our days.”
-Taken from Governor Deval Patrick’s remarks at the Massachusetts Remembers September 11 tribute at the Hatch Shell
In the past week, I – as a staff member of City Year Boston – have had two unique opportunities to share in service, love and giving with the community of Boston.
Superintendent Johnson (in her City Year jacket!) and Principal Harvey Jackson express their excitement for the day of service ahead. Photo by Elliot Haney
Last Friday, I woke up early to head to John Marshall Elementary in Dorchester. As more than 150 volunteers from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, the Boston Celtics and City Year Boston arrived at the school’s large playground, the students of the Marshall assembled outside. Soon, voices of welcome, gratitude and excitement greeted the crowd as we heard from the leaders who helped create this large-scale community transformation day.
When the school day resumed, the day of service kicked into high gear. Celtics legends Danny Ainge and Dana Barros helped lead basketball clinics for Marshall students while, in classrooms down the hall, Harvard Pilgrim volunteers created dozens of panel murals to brighten the school walls. Every student at the school started their day of learning by receiving a new backpack full of school supplies, donated by Cradles to Crayons.
Outside, energy remained high as volunteers deployed to paint wall murals, repaint the faded basketball court and create bright playground graphics – four-square courts, race lines and a U.S. map – for the students to enjoy. The finishing touches were put on the Louis D. Brown Peace Garden – a project that City Year and Gillette volunteers had begun several weeks prior – to turn the school courtyard into a vibrant, peaceful spot to learn.
The Peace Garden and basketball court after a day of service
Celtics Co-Owner and CEO Wyc Grousbeck addresses the volunteers
The day came to a close with proud Boston leaders applauding the hard work of the volunteers and calling for more service and the coming together of community members. Civic and business leaders who spoke at the opening and closing ceremonies included: Mayor Thomas M. Menino; Senator Jack Hart; State Representative Carlos Henriquez; City Councilor Charles Yancey; Boston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Carol Johnson; Principal Teresa Harvey Jackson; Harvard Pilgrim CEO Eric Shultz; Celtics co-owners Wyc Grousbeck (CEO) and Steve Pagliuca; and Celtics President Richard Gotham.
“Often our first reaction is to notice the differences in people. If you focus on all the differences, it’s easy to become indifferent. We can focus, instead, on how we are all connected.”
-Taken from remarks by Susan Retik, co-founder of Beyond the 11th, on Sept. 11, 2011
On Sunday I woke up early again, but this time I made my way to the Charles River Esplanade to support the Massachusetts Remembers tribute. After a briefing on the day’s activities, City Year Boston helped unfurl a huge American flag, made of mosaic pieces created by Massachusetts students in the weeks after the 2001 attacks. The formal tribute began later in the day with the arrival of the Beyond the 11th Bike Ride (Beyond the Bike) from Ground Zero. After City Year Boston helped guide nearly 220 bikers to the finish line, the riders joined a growing crowd at the DCR Hatch Shell for an interfaith ceremony to pay tribute to September 11, 2001 with moving testimonials, poetry readings and music from the Boston Pops Brass Ensemble and Boston Children’s Chorus.
The American flag mosaic (left and right) created by 50,000 Massachusetts students after 9/11
Beyond the 11th was co-founded by Susan Retik who lost her young husband 10 years ago. This past Sunday, Susan explained that after Sept. 11, 2001, she found herself grateful for the support of family, friends and neighbors. Gradually, as she followed media coverage of the war in Afghanistan, Susan found herself asking: “Who supports the Afghan women when their husbands die in this war? Who helps lift them out of despair?” Her response to herself was: “I knew I could help just one.”
Hearing Susan’s message to look beyond tragedy and beyond borders and focus on serving others left me re-inspired to return to work this week with a focus on serving to move myself and others beyond circumstance, beyond possibility and beyond expectations.
Did you serve for September 11? Add your service to our map! In 2009, with widespread support of the 9/11 community and bi-partisan backing, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act was approved and included formal recognition that led to the establishment of September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. On this day and throughout the year, City Year and AmeriCorps members seek to strengthen our communities and build a beloved community through service. Through the Corporation for National and Community Service, Hands on Network, United Way and other national networks, volunteers from every community in the United States served on September 11, and City Year Boston was proud to support five service projects.
