The events of Sept. 11, 2001 significantly affected our nation. Now, 12 years later, nonprofits and local businesses across our valley are offering a variety of ways for the community to give back and to remember the fallen of 9/11.

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HandsOn Santa Clarita

Local non-profit network, HandsOn Santa Clarita will pay tribute to the victims and first responders at the World Trade Center, by supporting local first-responders through volunteer projects on Wednesday.

They are asking the community to help them “serve those who serve us,” according to their website.

Slots are already full for the number of volunteer opportunities on the “9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance,” when teams will paint, clean and perform odd jobs at the local Sheriff’s and fire stations and deliver meals and care packages to fire and American Medical Response stations.

In the evening, there will be a commemorative ceremony at the Westfield Valencia mall in honor of those who fell on Sept. 11 and those first-responders who serve the local community every day. Those wanting to give back can still volunteer for set-up and tear-down at the ceremony.

From 5 to 7 p.m., families can interact with fire trucks and military vehicles and enjoy food vendors. The ceremony will start at 7 p.m., featuring several speakers, including Mayor Bob Kellar.

To learn more about how you can be a part of the “9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance,” click here or visit HandsOn Santa Clarita’s Facebook page.

Route 66

Regulars at Route 66 Classic Grill’s Bike Nights and members of the community can also come together on Wednesday for their annual 9/11 Tribute.

Bike Nights typically feature live music, raffle prizes and drink specials every Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. But this Wednesday at 8 p.m., the Canyon Country-based band Rebel Hearts will pause their performance, as parking lot lights around Route 66 go out and a bagpipe player walks across the parking lot from Coldstone Creamery, playing “Amazing Grace.”

The tribute will feature Rebel Hearts lead singer Millena Hicks singing the National Anthem as personnel from Los Angeles County Fire Station 104 raise the American Flag.

Hicks has been singing at Route 66’s 9/11 tributes since the first anniversary of the tragedy.

Retired L.A. City Fire Captain Howard Kaplan will speak about his experience at Ground Zero in New York City, where he was called to help with the search, rescue and body recovery efforts.

Singer Tim May will perform the song “God Bless the USA,” and the bagpipe player will walk back across the parking lot, again playing “Amazing Grace” to end the ceremony.

Princess Cruises/Habitat for Heroes

Local business Princess Cruises, as part of Cruise Lines International Association, and nonprofit Habitat for Humanity of the San Fernando/Santa Clarita Valleys will honor 9/11 as National Day of Service as well.

Cruise Lines International Association is hosting  a day of volunteering, as employees take a day out of the office to join together with Habitat for Heroes to help build 12 houses for low-income veteran families in the Southern California area. Together, they will help with the framing, insulation and construction of a new home in the Sylmar neighborhood.

The volunteer event with Habitat for Humanity is part of CLIA’s “Cruise Forward” initiative that highlights the economic benefits, community partnerships and environmental stewardship of cruising. This is just one of many ways in which the cruise industry gives back to its port communities in California and around the world. For more information on how cruise lines are making a positive impact, click here.

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.

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Source: Santa Clarita News
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