After a week of thrilling announcements and turnkey moments, HandsOn Network issued invitations to open house events on September 11, the first National Day of Service and Remembrance. HandsOn Network Action Centers across the country opened their doors to help people like you find opportunities to serve that match your passions and interests.

Some HandsOn Action centers, such as the Volunteer Center of Story County in Iowa, sent invitations inviting community members to a virtual open house - asking them to visit their Web site the week of September 11 to read a special message from Volunteer Center staff, participate in a virtual scavenger hunt and search through available volunteer positions. Others planned high-impact service projects to commemorate the day in action.

Learn more about how September 11 was commemorated across the network:

Timberland Team Spends Sept. 11 in Service.
Employees from Timberland, a HandsOn Network supporter, had plans to participate in a service project the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 in the Bronx. The group was headed to revitalize a school when they heard the tragic news of the terrorist attacks. The Timberland employees decided to continue with the project anyway, and they have returned to the Bronx for school renovation projects every September 11 since. Read a note from the CEO of Timberland expressing his reflections of the day.

Hands On Central Texas Maximizes Impact with Teamwork
The 9-11 Day of Caring on Friday, September 11 was truly one of the most memorable commemorations of the annual event in history. Hands On Central Texas began the day with a volunteer breakfast, followed by a tribute to those whose lives were lost on September 11, 2001. Read more...

Greater DC Cares volunteers supported 50 non-profit organizations on the National Day of Service and Remembrance
More than 4,500 Greater DC Cares volunteers supported 50 non-profit organizations in service projects across the region on the National Day of Service and Remembrance. The day included a signature service project at RKF Stadium where more than 200 volunteers made 30 + comfort quilts for children of deployed soldiers. Read more...

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger takes part in the National Day of Service and Remembrance
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined Secretary for Service and Volunteering Karen Baker to commemorate the National Day of Service and Remembrance and proclaim the California Day of Service, created to strengthen communities across the state and to remember those who passed on September 11, 2001. Read more...

Volunteers in Iowa improve garden at an elementary school
Volunteers from Voluntary Action Center in Spirit Lake, Iowa, made improvements to the memorial butterfly garden at Spirit Lake Elementary School. The garden was created in September of 2008 by 81 second grade students and 10 senior citizen volunteers in remembrance of those who lost their lives on September 11. Read more...