University of Illinois Springfield students, faculty and staff came together for a volunteer event in recognition of the Sept. 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance (9/11 Day). More than 130 volunteers assembled 1,000 care kits for active-duty military personnel in support of Operation: Care and Comfort.

“It was really powerful to see the members of the campus community coming together and serving alongside one another to honor 9/11,” said Jill Hawkins, program director of the UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center. “There was so much energy and excitement in the room as we served together assembling kits. It definitely was a day of honoring 9/11 by doing good.”

9/11 Day is one of only two federally recognized national days of service and is now the largest single day of service in the United States, with more than 30 million Americans participating each year. The observance turns a day of tragedy into a day of unity and action, bringing people together to honor, remember and serve.

“This event is important to me and other students because it’s a time of remembrance. 9/11 should never be forgotten about,” said Rob Smith, a junior at UIS studying computer science. “Although it was a very tragic day, we should still come together and bring peace to one another, and love, and spread that all around.”

While Smith was born after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, he understands the significance of the day since many of his family members have served in the Army.

“It makes me thankful for the people I have in my family and the government we have in this country,” Smith said.

UIS joined the national movement, using service as a way to build leadership, compassion and connection within our student body and the broader community.