Upstate celebrates the Day of Service and Remembrance Sept. 10

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- More than 155 students and employees from Upstate Medical University will fan out across Syracuse and Central New York Sunday, Sept. 10 to assist six agencies with work ranging from gardening to participating in activities with refugee families, and patients at the Veterans Administration Medical Center.

The activities highlight Upstate’s celebration for the Day of Service and Remembrance.

In 2009, Congress designated Sept. 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance as a day to engage in community and charitable service as a tribute to the victims and survivors of 9/11, and those who rose up in service in response to the attacks. (Upstate said celebrating the Day of Service on Sunday allowed more individuals to participate in the outreach activities.)

“This is an important event in our university calendar,” said Marnie Annese of Upstate’s Center for Civic Engagement. “This activity brings people together in the community in service, much the same way we came together following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. It’s also an opportunity for our students new to the area to learn more about the community they will be part of for the next several years.”

Participants are expected to be at their service locations at 11 a.m. through 2 p.m. Sunday

Agencies and tasks are noted below:

--Brady Faith Urban Farm (planting and harvesting) 150 Ford Ave., Syracuse.

--Clear Path for Veterans (grounds keeping)

--Refugee and Immigrant Self-Empowerment (RISE) Center (fun day for adolescents) 302 Burt St., Syracuse

--Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse (installation of raised garden with benches) 155 Gifford St., Syracuse

--Syracuse Veterans Medical Center (participating in various patient activities) 800 Irving Ave., Syracuse.

--Salvation Army Transitional Apartments and Parenting Center (picnic for residents) 677 S. Salina St., Syracuse.

Before heading out for their service activities Sunday, participants will hear remarks from Sergio Garcia, Upstate vice president of operations and university chief of staff, and Rev. Joe Colon, who was a New York City detective at the time of the Sept. 11 attack.

On Sept. 8, two days before setting out for their service activities, participants will hear from community members who have experienced support from community agencies. Those speaking include Syeisha Monquesse Byrd, director of engagement programs at Syracuse University (Boys and Girls Club); Shawn Emmons, an Army veteran (Clear Path for Veterans); and Mark Horvath, formerly homeless who now travels around the country raising awareness about homelessness.

All participants in Upstate’s Day of Service will be clad in a T-shirt created by medical student Liz Sulger, whose design incorporates different aspects of service--the future (adult and child hands intertwined), learning and growth (a book), the environment (a tree) and worldwide needs (the globe).

Caption: Medical student Liz Sulger, designed the T-shirt that will be worn by participants in Upstate’s Day of Service. The design incorporates different aspects of service--the future (adult and child hands intertwined), learning and growth (a book), the environment (a tree) and worldwide needs (the globe).