SAFFORD — Graham County residents have a local option for the 9/11 Day of Service this year.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors in the Gila Valley will be assembling personal care kits at the graham County General Services building Saturday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The public is also being asked to donate new, unopened items for the kits, as well as non-perishable food items.
“The point is just do what you can,” organizer Emily Clonts said. “If we all do a little, it turns out to be a lot.”
Needed items include:
● Toothbrushes and toothpaste
● Body wash
● 2-in-1 shampoo
● Lotion
● Deodorant
● Wet wipes
● Feminine hygiene items
All items should be travel sized — around 3 ounces — to fit in small kits. The kits will be assembled for first responders and hospital emergency room staff, to give to those encountered during a traumatic situation. Some kits will also be placed in the new Samaritan Home respite and information center for the homeless, and to SEACUS to distribute to homebound seniors.
Safford Lions Club is donating 150 stuffed lions to be distributed to children.
The non-perishable food items — such as cereal, ramen, peanut butter, beans and rice — will be distributed to local food pantries to help those dealing with food insecurity.
Clonts said organizers are using JustServe.org to assemble a team of volunteers, as well as let the community know what items are needed. She also highlighted a number of other worthy Gila Valley volunteer opportunities for those with different passions, such as community clean-ups, helping with Angel’s Closet and gathering diapers and other items for parents of newborns.
“It’s connecting the community with volunteers, and volunteers with community projects. So it works both ways,” Clonts said.
To find out more about volunteer and donation opportunities in the Gila Valley, go to Projects – JustServe.
