Honoring 9/11 Through Community Impact
More than two decades after 9/11, the memory of the event remains vivid across the nation. Oxford College of Emory University honors the day through service-learning activities that unite the campus.
“September 11 is a day that reminds us of unimaginable loss, but also of the strength we find in one another,” says Darleny Cepin, senior associate dean of Campus Life and chief Student Affairs officer. “At Oxford College, we believe that honoring this day means choosing service, compassion, and connection. By working alongside our neighbors in Newton County, our students transform remembrance into meaningful action.”
This year’s 9/11 Day of Service took place on Saturday, September 6, marking an exciting expansion of service opportunities at Oxford College. This was possible thanks to a grant from 9/11 Day, a national nonprofit that helps coordinate and fund service events across the country. The grant enabled Oxford to build on previous years’ efforts, deepening partnerships with local organizations. For students, it provided an opportunity to participate in special service projects, transforming the 9/11 anniversary from a day of tragedy into one of positive action.
"It was such a sad day in America when we were attacked and many were killed on our own soil, but it is great to see students who were not even born when 9/11 happened, out doing good in the community to honor this tragic day in history,"
Over 75 Oxford students collaborated with local Newton County organizations to actively serve the community, giving back to the place they now consider their home away from home. One notable event with the assistance of Beryl Budd was with Reforest Atlanta, an organization that supports forest restoration efforts by removing invasive species along Catova Creek. Through this project, students cleared approximately 1,600 square feet of forest from the grasp of wisteria, privet, and stilt grass, all of which are harmful invasive species. Sam Birkner, 26Ox, Alternative Breaks volunteer coordinator for Volunteer Oxford, says, "I was delighted to hear more about the ecological and environmental projects Newton County is currently engaged in. Helping out in these causes, even in such a limited capacity, allows me to feel both connected to my temporary home here in Oxford as well as my future professional career."
Another meaningful initiative allowed students to support local youth by partnering with Newton County Middle Schools, where they assembled menstruation supply kits to help combat period poverty—an issue causing 1 in 4 menstruating students to miss school. Sia Jumani 26Ox, Volunteer Oxford Coordinator, led the Menstrual Kit Packing Project. She says, "We exceeded our goal and created 800 kits that included pads, tampons, cleansing wipes, and encouraging notes for the middle school students who would receive these kits."
In addition to restorative work and menstrual supply packing, students also had the opportunity to participate in several other service initiatives as part of the 9/11 Day of Service. Each project addressed a different need in the community and offered students a meaningful way to give back.
Volunteers at Giving Hands Food Pantry packed weekend meal kits for children in Newton County schools facing food insecurity. This program provides essential food items meant to last from Friday evening through the following Monday morning. Meanwhile, at The Salvation Army in Newton County, students assisted in sorting and organizing donations for the local thrift store, which serves individuals and families experiencing homelessness or recovering from disasters such as fires or floods. Through these and other projects, students connected with and supported members of our community in impactful and compassionate ways.
Many of the community partners featured for 9/11 Day are part of Volunteer Oxford’s ongoing service program, including monthly trips to the Giving Hands Food Pantry on Friday mornings. This intentional connection helps students form lasting relationships with local organizations and build a lifelong habit of community engagement.
"Service introduces students to the Oxford and Newton County communities in a way that’s personal and lasting. It’s also a powerful way to build community on campus. Students then begin to see that they have a role to play here.”
In all these efforts, students didn’t just reflect on the past; they shaped the present. “What Volunteer Oxford did was connect me more personally to the tragedy. While we can't help those individuals twenty-four years ago, we can help each other now,” says Birkner.
By engaging in service, Oxford students upheld 9/11's legacy of unity and showed that even in tragedy, hope and kindness not only endure—they grow stronger.
With support from the 9/11 Day organization and strong community partnerships, Oxford College reached more people, deepened student engagement, and provided essential support to local residents. From packing food and hygiene kits to restoring natural spaces, each act of service became a thread in a larger fabric of compassion and connection.
“The 9/11 grant allowed us to go further than we ever have before,” said Hulgan. “We’re excited about what’s possible in the future.”
Looking ahead, the hope is to expand the reach of the program. The goal is to bring more students into service and continue meeting real needs in the Newton County community.