Syracuse, NY – On the anniversary of a national tragedy that brought fear to America’s shores and sent the country to war overseas, an interfaith, intercultural group will launch a weekend of efforts meant to spread kindness across the community. The group, Women Transcending Boundaries, formally introduced “A-OK! Acts of Kindness Weekend” during a news conference this afternoon at Oncenter....
Syracuse, NY – On the anniversary of a national tragedy that brought fear to America’s shores and sent the country to war overseas, an interfaith, intercultural group will launch a weekend of efforts meant to spread kindness across the community.
The group, Women Transcending Boundaries, formally introduced “A-OK! Acts of Kindness Weekend” during a news conference this afternoon at Oncenter.
On Sept. 11 – the ninth anniversary of the terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon – and the following day, nearly 100 community groups coordinated by Women Transcending Boundaries will engage in service projects, introduce themselves to and recruit volunteers, and find momentum to carry out their works the rest of the year, officials said. The Central New York Community Foundation is providing funding.
“What we wanted to do was to bridge the gap between the suburbs and the city, the north side and the south side, to say that we can all work together as one, we’re all the same,” said Daryl Files, one of five “anchors” coordinating the weekend.
"It's going to be an exciting weekend of bringing people together," said Danya Wellmon, another anchor.
Some of the participating organizations have been active for some time.
For example, Mary Nelson's Youth Center plans to build a raised-bed garden. Jowonio School wants to install a children’s labyrinth. St. Lucy’s Food Pantry and Gym will host a bicycle repair clinic, including instruction and a bike giveaway.
Other groups are new.
For example, the Muslim American Care and Compassion Alliance will introduce its first project on A-OK weekend – the Rahma Health Clinic. The clinic, at 3100 S. Salina St., will offer free medical care to anyone who does not have health insurance, spokeswoman Magda Bayoumi said.
Its name, Rahma, means “mercy” in Arabic, Bayoumi said.
Other groups will conduct blood drives, collect instruments for a program to introduce needy children to music, gather formal wear for a youth cotillion, and perform building projects. Donations of cleaning supplies, paint, books, tools, even farm equipment will be needed to pull everything off.
Activities and volunteerism will radiate on Sept. 11 from hubs at University United Methodist Church, the Assisi Center, Sunnycrest Park, Hopps Memorial CME Church, Mary Nelson’s Youth Center, the Rahma Clinic, St. Lucy’s Church and the Huntington Family Centers. University United Methodist Church, the Assisi Center and Sunnycrest Park will serve as hubs on Sept. 12, too.
Check out www.wtb.org for a list of organizations and projects. Email aokvolunteer@syracusenewtimes.com to volunteer.