9/11 Day of Service

Projects


We are so glad to have you as part of this year’s Mason Nation 9/11 Day of Service.  For questions, please contact Lisa Snyder, Associate Director at lsnyder2@gmu.edu.


2024 Project List (last updated 9/10/2024)

Greenhouse, Gardens, and Zero Waste Mason Projects
Please use the University Sustainability’s Volunteer Portal to register for campus garden projects ONLY. Please use (https://911day.gmu.edu/registration/) for all other service projects.

Water Barrel Painting with the School of Art

In-person project on the Fairfax Campus for up to 12 volunteers

  • Registration: please register for this project at: https://go.gmu.edu/greenvolunteering 
    To register, you will need to create a free account or log in, if you already have an account, on the Sustainable Sign Ups Volunteer Portal. After doing so, select the 9/11 Day of Service (2024) from the “Event List” and register for the shift(s) you would like. Please remember that you can also volunteer with University Sustainability any time!
  • Volunteer Time Slot: 11:00am-1:30pm
  • Location: Sculpture Department, Art & Design Building, Fairfax Campus. The Sculpture Yard is located in the back of the Art & Design Building, Lower Level
  • Instructions: Join us in the Sculpture Yard behind the School of Art to paint a water barrel. Students will work with a designer and stencil and paint a rain barrel to address themes relevant to wildlife and pollution. All skill levels are welcome! All of the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to have an enjoyable and impactful volunteer experience will be provided to you at the shift!
    Please read the detailed instructions when you register for the shift, which include requirements for participation, location information, suggested items to bring with you, and more.
  • Questions? Please email jashwort@gmu.edu
  • Mason Project Coordinators: Jennifer Ashworth

Innovation Food Forest Project hosted by University Sustainability Greenhouse and Gardens program 

In-person project on the Fairfax Campus for up to 15 volunteers 

  • Registration: please register for this project at: https://go.gmu.edu/greenvolunteering 
    To register, you will need to create a free account or log in, if you already have an account, on the Sustainable Sign Ups Volunteer Portal. After doing so, select the 9/11 Day of Service (2024) from the “Event List” and register for the shift(s) you would like. Please remember that you can also volunteer with University Sustainability any time!
  • Volunteer Time Slot: 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm
  • Location: Innovation Food Forest, Fairfax Campus
  • Instructions: All skill levels are welcome! All of the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to have an enjoyable and impactful volunteer experience will be provided to you at the shift!
    Please read the detailed instructions when you register for the shift, which include requirements for participation, location information, suggested items to bring with you, and more.
  • Questions? Please email Doni Nolan at dnolan6@gmu.edu
  • Mason Project Coordinators: Doni Nolan, Greenhouse and Gardens Program Manager, University Sustainability

Potomac Heights Vegetable Garden Project hosted by the Office of Sustainability’s Greenhouse and Gardens program  

In-person project on the Fairfax Campus accommodating 10 volunteers 

  • Registration: please register for this project at: https://go.gmu.edu/greenvolunteering. To register, you will need to create a free account or log in, if you already have an account, on the Sustainable Sign Ups Volunteer Portal. After doing so, select the 9/11 Day of Service (2024) from the “Event List” and register for the shift(s) you would like. Please remember that you can also volunteer with the Office of Sustainability anytime!
  • Volunteer Time Slot: 
    • 9:00am-10:00am
    • 10:00am-11:00am 
  • Location: Potomac Heights Vegetable Garden, Fairfax Campus  
  • Instructions: All skill levels are welcome! All of the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to have an enjoyable and impactful volunteer experience will be provided to you at the shift!
  • Please read the detailed instructions when you register for the shift, which include requirements for participation, location information, suggested items to bring with you, and more.
  • Questions? Please email Doni Nolan at dnolan6@gmu.edu
  • Mason Project Coordinators: Doni Nolan, Greenhouse and Gardens Program Manager, University Sustainability

Presidents Park Greenhouse hosted by the Office of Sustainability’s Greenhouse and Gardens program  

In-person project on the Fairfax Campus for up to 10 volunteers 

  • Registration: please register for this project at: https://go.gmu.edu/greenvolunteering. To register, you will need to create a free account or log in, if you already have an account, on the Sustainable Sign Ups Volunteer Portal. After doing so, select the 9/11 Day of Service (2024) from the “Event List” and register for the shift(s) you would like. Please remember that you can also volunteer with the Office of Sustainability anytime!  
  • Volunteer Time Slot: 2:00pm-3:00pm   
  • Location:Presidents Park Greenhouse, Fairfax Campus  
  • Instructions: All skill levels are welcome! All of the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to have an enjoyable and impactful volunteer experience will be provided to you at the shift!
  • Please read the detailed instructions when you register for the shift, which include requirements for participation, location information, suggested items to bring with you, and more.
  • Questions? Please email Doni Nolan at dnolan6@gmu.edu
  • Mason Project Coordinators: Doni Nolan, Greenhouse and Gardens Program Manager, University Sustainability

For the service projects listed below, please use Eventbrite to register.

  • Animal Chew Toys
    • Volunteers will make chew toys for animals using fleece. Chew toys will be donated to a local area animal shelter
    • Volunteer Shift times:
      • 10am-11am
      • 11am-12pm
      • 1pm-2pm
      • 2pm-3pm
      • Location: Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall
  • Animal Blankets
    • Volunteers will make blankets for animals using fleece. Blankets will be donated to a local area animal shelter
    • Volunteer Shift times:
      • 10am-11am
      • 11am-12pm
      • 1pm-2pm
      • 2pm-3pm
    • Location: Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall
  • Arlington Police, Fire, Sheriff, and ECC 9/11 Memorial 5K (NOTE: this event will take place on Saturday, September 7, 2024)
    • Join the George Mason University Team
    • Race Details: https://www.arlington911race.us/
    • The Arlington Police, Fire, Sheriff and ECC9/11 Memorial Race was born from an idea to start a road race after two Arlington County Police Officers had returned from a similar road race in Buffalo, New York. The first Arlington 9/11 Race was held on September 7, 2002, with 2600 runners, and raised approximately $40,000.
    • Since its inception, the Arlington Police, Fire, Sheriff and ECC 9/11 Memorial Race has had over 40,000 runners cross its finish line and has raised over $800,000 for 9/11-related charities.
  • Child Development Center
    • Volunteer Needs: The Child Development Center (CDC) keeps a cabinet full of donated clothing to have on hand when children need a change of clothes during the school day.  CDC needs 2 volunteers to sort through the donated clothing and organize the donated clothing to make it easier for staff to quickly find a change of clothes for a child.  CDC also would like volunteers to pull out items that are not applicable and set them aside for donation.  A box will be provided to bring any clothing that need donated to Dewberry Hall at the end of the final shift.
    • Volunteer Shift Time: 10:00am-11:00am
    • Location: The Child Development Center
    • Questions: Reach out to Shira Kulok, skulok@gmu.edu
  • Friends of City of Fairfax Library
    • Donate gently used books to the local City of Fairfax Regional Library! The books will be sold at the library’s book sales in the first weeks of October and November to raise funds for the library. Volunteers will also be needed to help sort donated books and make handwritten cards to be included with each book.
    • Volunteer Shift times:
    • 1pm-2pm
    • 2pm-3pm
    • Location: Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall
    • Donation sites will be available 8/26 – 9/9 at the following locations: 
      • The Hub 2400 
      • Merten Hall 4300 
      • SUB I Patriots Lounge 
  • Mason Chooses Kindness – Chalking Campus
    • As part of Mason Chooses Kindness’ Mission, “create and sustain an infectious kindness revolution at Mason”, volunteers are needed to help chalk inspiring and positive messages around campus.
    • Shift times:
      • 10am-11am
      • 11am-12pm
      • 1pm-2pm
      • 2pm-3pm
    • Location: Meet in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall to pick up chalk supplies and instructions
  • Mason Chooses Kindness – Rock Decorating
    • Decorate rocks with inspiriting messages of hope, encouragement, or fun designs to share with others. Decorated rocks can be placed in various locations around campus to inspire others.
    • Volunteer Shift times:
      • 10am-11am
      • 11am-12pm
      • 1pm-2pm
      • 2pm-3pm
    • Location: Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall
  • Mason Chooses Kindness – Pats for Patriots
    • Volunteers will help submit Pats for Patriots to thank, recognize, and show appreciation for a Mason colleague or student who has taken the time to do something kind, generous or thoughtful towards others. We ask that volunteers bring a laptop, tablet, or electronic device to use to help submit Pats for Patriots.
    • Volunteer Shift Times:
      • 1pm-2pm
      • 2pm-3pm
  • Pattie Elementary/Mason Partnership – Fill a Back Pack with Van Metre and Pattie Elementary P.O.P. Club
    • In partnership with Van Metre, we will be filling back packs with food items for students in need. Volunteers will be working directly with Van Metre and 4th-5th grade students from Pattie Elementary
    • Volunteer Shift Times
      • 10am-11am
      • 11am-12pm
      • 1pm-2pm
  • Pattie Elementary/Mason Partnership – Decorate cards for residents at Potomac Place Assisted Living
    • Volunteers will work directly with 4th-5th grade students from Pattie Elementary to make cards for residents at Potomac Place Assisted Living
    • Volunteer Shift Times
      • 10am-11am
      • 11am-12pm
      • 1pm-2pm
  • Pattie Elementary/Mason Partnership – Decorate flower pots residents at Potomac Place Assisted Living
    • Volunteers will work directly with 4th-5th grade students from Pattie Elementary to decorate flower pots for residents at Potomac Place Assisted Living
    • Volunteer Shift Times
      • 10am-11am
      • 11am-12pm
      • 1pm-2pm
  • Women Giving Back
    • Assisting Women Giving Back’s mission to “support women and children in crisis, and build their confidence and self-esteem, by providing great quality clothing at no cost,” donations are being collected August 12-September 10th. Join us on September 11, 2024 to help sort through and organize the contributions (by type, size, etc.) and prepare them for delivery to the Women Giving Back Store.
    • Location: Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall
    • New or gently used women’s and kid’s clothing, unopened diapers and baby wipes donations can be dropped off at the following locations NO LATER than Monday, September 10th:
      • Aquia 349 
      • Buchanan D205 
      • Child Development Center 
      • Exploratory Hall Lobby 
      • Horizon Hall 5200 
      • The Hub 2400 
      • Johnson Center 213 & 240K 
      • Merten Hall 2100, 3100 & 4100 
    • Volunteer Shift times for picking up donation boxes on campus:
      • 10am-11am (Meet in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall for instructions)
    • Volunteer Shift times for organizing clothes:
      • 1pm-2pm
      • 2pm-3pm

Donation Opportunities


  • Friends of City of Fairfax Library
    • In partnership with the Friends of City of Fairfax Regional Libraries, we are in great need of good condition children’s books, adult fiction hardback, trade paper, and mass market.
    • Categories of appreciated nonfiction donations include:
      • Anime
      • Art-Architecture
      • Biography
      • Cookbooks
      • Health
      • History
      • Humor
      • Literature
      • Philosophy
      • Religion
      • Science Fiction
      • Sports
      • Textbooks
      • Travel
      • Children’s books
      • Foreign language books in reasonable quantities
    • Book donation boxes will be located in the Hub Room 2400, SUB 1 Patriot’s Lounge, and Merten Hall 4300. Donations will be accepted 8/26 – 9/9 and on the day of the event. Volunteers will help review and sort donated books. Preferred types of books are listed on the FOL page.
  • Mason’s Patriot Pantry Donations
    • The Patriot Pantry is a crucial campus resource that works to mitigate the challenges that students face with food insecurity and hunger at GMU. The pantry provides access to non-perishable food and hygiene items, while also raising awareness about food insecurity within the Mason community. The Patriot Pantry relies heavily on donations to operate, and while all forms of generosity is appreciated, the most helpful contributions can be made through the Amazon Wishlist. This wish list is updated frequently with items that are most necessary for the pantry to provide. A donation through the wish list is as easy as can be by using the provided link and selecting any items that you are able to purchase. Donations are directly sent to the pantry. 
  • Student Food and Housing Insecurity Fund
  • Women Giving Back Clothing, Diapers, and Wipes Drive
    • Women Giving Back distributes quality clothing to women and children in need at no cost – Help us make a difference! Items needed include:
      • Spring/summer clothes and shoes for women and kids (infant to teen)
      • Accessories such as purses, jewelry, hats, scarves
      • Professional uniform items such as suits, medical scrubs, chef’s whites
      • New, unopened diapers sizes 1-6 (greatest need for sizes 5-6)
      • New, unopened baby wipes
    • Donated clothes can be dropped off at the following locations anytime between August 19-September 10
      • Child Development Center
      • Exploratory Hall Lobby
      • Johnson Center 213 & 240K
      • Merten Hall 2100, 3100 & 4100
      • Horizon Hall 5200
      • The Hub 2400
      • Buchanan D205
      • Aquia 349

Save the Date

The 12th Annual Mason Nation 9/11 Day of Service will take place on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. More information regarding the 2024 Mason Nation 9/11 Day of Service will be available in mid August