In communities across Fairfax County, more than 800 volunteers turned out on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 for the National Day of Service and Remembrance.

“Our older volunteers are so critical to everything we do in Fairfax County,” said Supervisor Pat Herrity (Springfield). “This is a day to celebrate those

volunteer activities and encourage more people and young people to volunteer.”

On the National Day of Service and Remembrance 2021, whether the volunteers undertook in-person day-of or virtual at-home projects completed that week, people in Fairfax County stepped up. Andrew Daniels, the senior coordinator of corporate service events at Volunteer Fairfax, said they wanted “to offer as many opportunities in as many different locations” as possible.

At Chalk4Peace.org art event at the Government Center youth chalked positive messages of peace on the sidewalks leading to the ceremony.

At 10 a.m. Fairfax County’s Stuff the Bus food drives began, one at the Government Center and 22 at other locations.

Volunteers fanned out across the county, clearing overgrown areas at the Burke School, Centreville Elementary School, South Run Rec Center in Springfield, and Marshall Road Elementary Courtyard in Vienna.

At a woodworking project in Chantilly with Community Residences, Inc., volunteers helped construct outdoor wood structures, benches, and garden beds, for the participants of the Newbrook Day.

In Reston, volunteers assembled celebration boxes and packed them with food and party supplies for Cornerstones’ upcoming fundraiser event for its 50th anniversary.

At-home projects expanded opportunities to serve. According to Daniels, people made homemade dog and cat treats for rescue animals at the Homeward Trails Animal Rescue in Fairfax Station.

Volunteers wrote cards for those in homeless shelters, like the one in Reston. Others made face masks for people with mental health, substance use, and homelessness issues at Recovery Programs Solutions of Virginia center based in Alexandria. And in tribute, they served.