Last year, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Activate Good, a local nonprofit with a mission of improving the community through “people-powered projects for good, continued its tradition of honoring those lost on Sept.11, 2001, but in a new format. Instead of one day, the nonprofit hosted a full month of service activities. The month was such a success that the Activate Good team has decided to do it again this year. The month of service will take place from September 1 through 30, 2021, and it will bring Triangle residents together to participate in safe volunteer opportunities — in-person or remote.

“Last year, we saw a light shine on some of the biggest needs in our community. People stepped up to help their neighbors and volunteered in communities across the Triangle. But we know the need is not over yet,” said Amber Smith, executive director of Activate Good. “Sign up to serve with us this September — do some good, find new opportunities to connect with others, and get to know your community a little better, too.”

During the September Month of Service, community members around the Triangle are invited to participate in a variety of volunteer opportunities — either in-person or virtual, based on their interests and availability. Some volunteer projects are scheduled at a specific day and time while other opportunities allow volunteers to participate based on their own schedule, ensuring maximum flexibility. In-person volunteer projects will be conducted in socially-distanced environments with masks and other safety protocols in place.

One of the over 250 volunteer opportunities in September is the “Community Reunion Mural Project.” The project will bring together community members as volunteers to paint a mural in downtown Raleigh. Designed and refined by professional artists who will provide guidance and touch-ups throughout the community engagement, the goal is to use volunteer service and art as a means of building community, raising resident morale as the community recovers from the effects of COVID-19, and bringing people together across differences by engaging them in a fun project. Volunteers will enjoy the results and will feel a sense of ownership for years to come. Barring rain, the completed mural will be revealed on Sept. 12, 2021.

For the past several years, Activate Good has hosted an in-person evening commemoration event to conclude the annual 9/11 Day of Service. This year, Activate Good will share a video on Sept. 11, 2021, via social media channels that will showcase community members speaking about how they plan to contribute to positive change in the future. Follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Interested participants can view volunteer opportunities, sign up, and find additional info on the month of service at activategood.org/september-month-of-service-2021.