FADING MEMORIES-RSVP and the 25th Anniversary of 9/11
The National Association of RSVP Directors, Inc., with support from the 9/11Day.org marked the 25thanniversary of the 9/11 attacks with a series of special projects at 8 AmeriCorps Senior sites in Alabama.
At the Athens-Limestone County Public Library on September 1, 2026, the Athens-Limestone County RSVP program hosted an International Reading Event.
The intergenerational reading group welcomed 40 attendees for a meaningful and reflective program centered on the 25th anniversary of September 11.
The guest speaker, Mrs. Charlotte Jeffreys of Athens, Alabama, shared her firsthand experience serving at Ground Zero. Within 30 days of the attacks, she and her late husband traveled to New York City with the Southern Baptist Association, where they spent more than two weeks preparing and serving meals to first responders and recovery workers. Mrs. Jeffreys offered a powerful remembrance of that time, providing insight into the compassion, courage, and unity shown in the aftermath of 9/11.
To honor the day, each attendee received a 9/11 book, and every adult committed to share the book’s reading with a grandchild or great‑grandchild, strengthening the event’s intergenerational purpose and ensuring these stories of service and resilience continue to be passed forward.
On 9/11/2026 the Athens-Limestone County RSVP held a special event, “Remembering 9/11” twenty-five years later. Serving hot breakfast to first responders at the County Sheriff’s office. 125 first responders, elected officials, S.A.L.T. Council and RSVP VOLUNTEERS cooked and served a hot breakfast. Menu was country ham, sausage, eggs, gravy, grits, chocolate gravy, jellies, orange juice and coffee. Elected officials attended were County commission chairman, two county commissioners, sheriff, district attorney, and city councilman. Mayor’s office was represented.
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On 9/11/2026 RSVP of Jefferson County, Alabama held a reading project at the Forest Hills Community Development Center, a Head Start center for Fairfield City Schools. Ms. Shirley Freeeman, an RSVP volunteer, read to the children. A total of 9 volunteers read to 60 children during the event.
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In Etowah County the RSVP program had 2 volunteers read books to all of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade classes at Ray Thompson Elementary School in Gadsden.
This is the message they shared with those students:
Remembering the Good That Followed
There is now an entire generation that wasn’t here on September 11, 2001. They didn’t experience the horror, anguish, and uncertainty that gripped our nation that morning. They don’t have memories of where they were, what they were doing, or whether someone they knew was among those affected.
While we would never advocate intentionally creating fear in young people, it is important that they understand what happened that day—and, perhaps just as importantly, what happened in the days, weeks, and years that followed.
We often hear the familiar reminder that if we don’t learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. That lesson certainly applies to 9/11. But there are two sides of this history that deserve to be remembered and taught: the terrible events themselves, and the extraordinary goodness that emerged in response.
We need to teach younger generations about the helpers—the first responders, volunteers, givers, neighbors, and countless ordinary people who stepped forward in extraordinary ways. People who offered a helping hand, a meal, a donation, a shoulder to lean on, or simply their time. People who did whatever they could, wherever they were, to help restore a sense of order, hope, and normalcy in the aftermath of a vicious attack.
That spirit of helping is a part of the story, too. And it is a lesson worth carrying forward.
Today, two RSVP volunteers read books to children at Thompson Elementary School, helping highlight that brighter side of September 11—the goodness that emerged from tragedy and, we hope, continues to happen every day in communities everywhere.
Because remembering 9/11 isn’t only about remembering what happened to us. It’s also about remembering how we came together—and teaching the next generation that when people need help, we can choose to be the helpers.
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The AmeriCorps Senior FGP program of Lee and Russell Counties held events at 9 different sites including the Darden Head Start, Edelman Head Start, Franke B King Center, Ladonia Elementary, Meadowlane Elementary, Mount Olive Intermediate, Mount Olive Primary, Oliver Elementary, Southview Primary and Westview Elementary. 39 volunteers read to 582 students in 50 different classrooms. One volunteer shared her experience about being on active duty on 9/11, another volunteer spoke about her uncle who was a New York City Firefighter at that time, and two other volunteers talked about being teachers and in classrooms on that date.
The RSVP program in Tuscumbia, AL held a number of projects in observances of the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
On 9/11/2026, 11 volunteers gathered at the Helen Keller Library in Tuscumbia to assemble 200 meal and 100 hygiene bags. Each meal bag included shelf-stable ingredients and a recipe card, using affordable items available at Dollar Tree. The project not only provided meals but also showed recipients how to prepare food with low-cost ingredients. Hygiene bags for people experiencing homelessness included hats, socks, hygiene products, granola, water, juice, and peanut butter crackers. Bags were delivered to local organizations that operate food pantries and assist people experiencing homelessness, and additional bags will be placed in Blessing Boxes throughout the county.
Also on 9/11/2026 one volunteer read a specific book to 132 kids in 4 different classes. After the reading session, the children wrote thank you notes to community first responders.
The volunteer read to four different classes ranging from 3rd grade to 5th grade. The teachers all expressed how much they loved having a guest reader, and the students enjoyed the book. The Reader and the students asked and answered questions. In addition to the book reading, the teachers had the students write thank you notes to the first responders. Most expressed their gratitude for keeping them safe and showing up first when trouble happens. Some expressed a desire to be a first responder when they grew up.
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Positive Maturity RSVP and FGP programs in Birmingham, AL held a series of reading events on 9/11/2026.September 11
At Sun Valley Elementary 3 volunteers read to 28 students.
In Shelby County RSVP read to 3 children
Walker County RSVP read to 50 children in 3 classes
In Blount County volunteers read to 32 children in 3 classes
FGP volunteers read to 30 kids at Barrett Elementary
FGP volunteers read to 13 students at Martha Gaskin Elementary.
AmeriCorps RSVP in Banks and Pike, Alabama
In Banks, located in Pike County Alabama, at Banks school ( K-4 through 8th grade) on September 10, 2026 we had our "Fading Memories of 9.11" Day activities. The school was celebrating Grandparents day and we utilized the Grandparents and other volunteers to assist in reading the chosen books appropriate for each age, in groups in the Library and classrooms. The school also had their book fair going on and our volunteers highlighted the importance of reading and sharing the history of 9.11.
303 volunteers, 238 youth all enjoyed the stories and learning more about how 9.11 affected our community and nation. An estimated total of 169 hours were volunteered this day with planning, set up, reading, distribution of books and clean up.
In Flomaton, located in Escambia county Alabama at McCall-Pollard school (grades J-3 through 8th) on September 15, 2026, 92 volunteers assisted with a very special project. Jacob Burnham, the history teacher had his 7th grade students research a person who was in the towers or was involved in the rescues on 9,11,2001. The students dressed as their person, told about their lives and what happened to them on 9.11. There were police officers, sisters, bystanders and others portrayed. Their stories brought them to life and reminded us all that the effects of 9.11 still remain today. The "Fading Memories of 9.11" project was brought to life by these 7th graders. They put so much thought and preparation into their stories. Bringing their "Person" into the light.
There were special guests such as Chris White, a retired firefighter who worked on a federal Air station and was a rookie on 9,11,2001. He told of how the terrorist attacks changed their trainings over the years. They trained to not only fight fires but also to be ready for other scenarios . He also told of the firefighters who lost their lives on 9.11 while saving othets and those still living, who have debilitating lung conditions from inhaling the fumes and debris of that fateful day.
Other guests spoke of how 9.11 changed their perspective of what a "normal" day in the USA is.
There were 43 youth involved with a total of 92 volunteers, on this special day and 188 total hours volunteered with planning, set up, execution, distribution and clean up.
Both schools and the children were overjoyed with the books they received and the stories they learned .
Pictures and video previously submitted. The video is also to be highlighted on the schools Facebook pages.