MyGoodDeed and New York Cares Announce 9/11 Volunteer Programs to Help Children and...

MyGoodDeed and New York Cares Announce 9/11 Volunteer Programs to Help
Children and Communities In New York City
Organizations Join Together to Commemorate First Ever Official 9/11 National
Day of Service and Remembrance by Rallying New Yorkers to Help Others

NEW YORK, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- MyGoodDeed, a prominent nonprofit group
created by family members and friends of 9/11 victims and New York Cares, New
York City's largest volunteer organization, today announced two service
projects to be held on September 11, 2009 as the city and nation commemorate
the first ever September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Together, these groups will mobilize approximately 150 volunteers in Harlem,
revitalizing Jenny's Garden in Riverside Park and participating in literacy
projects with students at P.S. 76, the A. Philip Randolph School.

In March 2009, after a seven-year campaign led by my MyGoodDeed to establish
the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks as national day of service, Congress
passed landmark legislation that for the very first time authorizes the formal
recognition of September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. On
April 21, 2009, President Obama signed this legislation into law under the
Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. In 2011, MyGoodDeed hopes to mark the
tenth anniversary of September 11 by holding the largest single day of service
and volunteerism in the nation's history.

For the past five years, MyGoodDeed and New York Cares have teamed up to
organize activities on 9/11 in and around New York City, involving hundreds of
volunteers. "Every year on 9/11, hundreds of New Yorkers and thousands of
people around the country and across the globe come together to rekindle the
spirit of unity and hope that followed the events of 2001," explained
MyGoodDeed president David Paine, who founded the organization in 2002 along
with close friend Jay S. Winuk, the brother of 9/11 rescuer Glenn J. Winuk, an
attorney and volunteer firefighter and EMT who died in the collapse of the
World Trade Center South Tower. "This year we have chosen to support two
projects that will help our children and our communities on a very personal
and practical level."

At Jenny's Garden, an urban, community garden in a once vacant lot in Harlem,
40 volunteers will work to prepare the garden for the cold weather months.
The garden was created by Jenny Benitez, a neighborhood resident, over 20
years ago. Saddened by the condition of a vacant lot filled with abandoned
cars, Ms. Benitez brought community members together to reclaim and revitalize
the neighborhood. After many years, and many volunteer hours, the lot is now
one of the most beautiful green spaces in New York City.

At P.S. 76, the A. Philip Randolph School in Harlem, 75 volunteers, including
20 New York Cares Youth Service Team Leaders (teens from local high schools)
will work with 3rd and 4th graders on a reading and essay project connected
with the school's Young Authors Club, which is run by New York Cares
volunteers. Students will write and read essays about giving back and the
meaning of service/community with the teen service leaders. Students and teen
volunteers will also participate in mural painting and other revitalization
projects, such as organizing the library and helping the school prepare for
the start of the new school year.

Individuals interested in volunteering for either service project are
encouraged to visit www.newyorkcares.org/volunteer/mygooddeed to register.
Space will be limited. New York Cares will also run 180 other volunteer
projects during the week around 9/11 enabling 1,800 volunteers to serve
citywide.

New York Cares runs volunteer programs at 1,000 nonprofits, city agencies and
public schools throughout New York City. This year, New York Cares will make
it possible for almost 50,000 volunteers to help 400,000 New Yorkers in need.
Visit newyorkcares.org for more information.

"There are literally thousands of ways that anyone can help on 9/11, and we
hope as many people as possible will be inspired to action this year," said
Gary Bagley, Executive Director of New York Cares. "New York Cares makes it
possible for people to give their time whenever they can all year round,
addressing a wide range of socials issues affecting New York City. We're
thrilled to partner with MyGoodDeed and share their belief that even the
smallest effort can make a major difference."

For more information on the 9/11 National Day of Service, to pledge a good
deed for 9/11 or to register a service event, visit www.911dayofservice.org.

Contacts: Jennifer Burke
203-405-1479
jennifer.burke@911day.com

Jocelyn Aframe
212-843-8285
jaframe@rubenstein.com

SOURCE MyGoodDeed, www.911dayofservice.org

Jennifer Burke of MyGoodDeed, www.911dayofservice.org, +1-203-405-1479,
jennifer.burke@911day.com; or Jocelyn Aframe, +1-212-843-8285,
jaframe@rubenstein.com, for MyGoodDeed, www.911dayofservice.org