In remembrance of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Dixie State University is coordinating a community service project and hosting a memorial ceremony on campus.
In connection with the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, DSU is partnering with United Way Dixie to host Books for Brunch, in which the community is invited to bring new children’s books in exchange for brunch. The books collected as part of the drive will then be delivered to schools in the Washington County School District, DSU’s KidSpace, after-school programs, and other agencies that support children’s needs.
Books for Brunch will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Sept. 9 in the Gardner Center Ballroom on the Dixie State University campus.
“As a mother of four sons, two who love to read and two who struggle with reading, I know being able to read affects self-confidence in all aspects of their lives,” said Karyn Wright, a community engagement specialist at DSU. “I love this quote from Rebekah Pectol, executive director of United Way Dixie: ‘If students don’t learn to read in their early years of education, they won’t be able to read to learn in their secondary and post-secondary schooling.’ I am so excited to collaborate with community partners in this awesome book drive and day of service.”
To kick off the event, local veterans and DSU alumni will present an opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Local emergency services personnel, service members, veterans, community leaders, and fairy tale characters from Tuacahn’s production of “Shrek the Musical” will read books throughout the event.
On Sept. 11, volunteers will deliver and read books to students in local schools and other organizations that support children’s needs.
The community project addresses literacy needs of students in kindergarten through eighth grade by providing grade-level appropriate reading material. Upon receiving the books, children will be invited to take the books home to build up their personal library collections, helping parents reinforce what is learned at school.
“In a world that is increasingly fragmented and anonymous, books give us insight into the motives and lives of others. Books have the ability to bind us together. Reading is more than the way we learn about the world; it is the way we learn about each other — and ourselves,” said Kristy Pike, a guest reader for the event. “I can’t think of a better way to honor our veterans and first responders than through a day of service. I’m thrilled to share my love of books in this meaningful community event.”
Across campus, the DSU Student Association’s Service Branch will host a memorial ceremony to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the attacks as well as honor the nation’s first responders and military personnel. The ceremony will take place at noon on Sept. 11 by the University Clock Tower.
“We host the memorial event because we feel it is important to remember and honor those whose lives were affected by the events of September 11, 2001. With thanks to the many brave acts of our citizens and first responders, many lives were saved that day. In a time of great despair, we came together as a nation and are now more strongly unified because of it,” said Dillon McKinney, DSUSA vice president of service. “Our country’s first responders, service members, and veterans sacrifice so much for each and every one of us and honoring them in a ceremony is the least we can do to show our appreciation.”
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